PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11451902-B1
Application Number: US-202117315230-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Speaker with vented resonator

Abstract:
Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices having speakers with vented resonators. A vented resonator may have a resonator chamber and a channel that fluidly couples a front volume of the speaker with the resonator chamber. A vent such as a barometric vent may be disposed in a wall of the resonator chamber that separates the resonator chamber from the back volume of the speaker. The barometric vent may thus allow airflow from the front volume to the back volume via the resonator chamber, and prevent fluid flow from the front volume to the back volume via the resonator chamber.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A speaker, comprising:
 a front volume; 
 a back volume; 
 a diaphragm separating the front volume from the back volume; 
 a resonator having a port to the front volume and a chamber having at least one wall adjacent the back volume; and 
 a vent in the wall that allows airflow from the front volume to the back volume via the resonator. 
 
     
     
       2. The speaker of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel extending between the port and the chamber. 
     
     
       3. The speaker of  claim 2 , wherein the vent allows the airflow from the front volume to the back volume via the port, the channel, and the chamber. 
     
     
       4. The speaker of  claim 3 , wherein the chamber is disposed between the channel and the vent. 
     
     
       5. The speaker of  claim 1 , further comprising a first additional resonator, the first additional resonator having a chamber with a volume that is less than a volume of the chamber of the resonator. 
     
     
       6. The speaker of  claim 5 , wherein the volume of the chamber of the resonator corresponds to a first resonant frequency, and the volume of the chamber of the first additional resonator corresponds to a second resonant frequency that is higher than the first resonant frequency. 
     
     
       7. The speaker of  claim 6 , further comprising a second additional resonator having a chamber with a volume that corresponds to a third resonant frequency that is lower than the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency. 
     
     
       8. The speaker of  claim 7 , wherein the first additional resonator is disposed at least partially between the resonator and the second additional resonator. 
     
     
       9. The speaker of  claim 8 , wherein the second additional resonator is bounded at least in part by a portion of a rear wall of a housing of the speaker. 
     
     
       10. The speaker of  claim 9 , wherein the second additional resonator includes:
 a channel that extends between the front volume and the chamber of the second additional resonator, the channel having a horizontal portion that is at least partially defined by a cover member that separates the channel from the front volume, and a vertical portion that extends substantially orthogonally to the horizontal portion; and 
 an acoustic mesh that spans an internal end of the vertical portion of the channel within the chamber. 
 
     
     
       11. The speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises:
 an opening in the wall; and 
 a membrane that spans the opening in the wall, wherein the membrane is an air-permeable liquid-resistant membrane. 
 
     
     
       12. An electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing having an opening; and 
 a speaker having an output port aligned with the opening in the device housing, the speaker, comprising:
 a front volume; 
 a back volume; 
 a diaphragm separating the front volume from the back volume; 
 a resonator having a port to the front volume and a chamber having at least one wall adjacent the back volume; and 
 a vent in the wall that allows airflow from the front volume to the back volume via the resonator. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 12 , further comprising an additional resonator that includes:
 a channel that extends between the front volume and the chamber of the additional resonator, the channel having a horizontal portion that is at least partially defined by a cover member that separates the channel from the front volume, and a vertical portion that extends substantially orthogonally to the horizontal portion; and 
 an acoustic mesh that spans an internal end of the vertical portion of the channel within the chamber. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 12 , the speaker further comprising a channel extending between the port and the chamber, wherein the chamber is disposed between the channel and the vent. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the vent allows the airflow from the front volume to the back volume via the port, the channel, and the chamber. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the vent comprises:
 an opening in the wall; and 
 a membrane that spans the opening in the wall, wherein the membrane is an air-permeable liquid-resistant membrane. 
 
     
     
       17. A speaker, comprising:
 a front volume; 
 a back volume; and 
 a vented resonator having a port to the front volume, a resonator chamber, a channel extending from the port to the resonator chamber, and a barometric vent between the resonator chamber and the back volume. 
 
     
     
       18. The speaker of  claim 17 , wherein the vented resonator is formed, in part, by an opening in a wall that defines at least a portion of the resonator chamber, and a membrane that extends over the opening. 
     
     
       19. The speaker of  claim 18 , wherein the membrane is disposed within the back volume and is attached to a surface of the wall that interfaces with the back volume. 
     
     
       20. The speaker of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one additional resonator that is fluidly coupled to the front volume and that is fluidly separate from back volume.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present description relates generally to audio transducers for electronic devices, including, for example, speakers with vented resonators. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices such as computers, media players, cellular telephones, wearable devices, and headphones are often provided with speakers for generating sound output from the device. However, particularly as devices are implemented in ever smaller form factors, and as user demand for high quality audio increases, it can be challenging to provide speakers that generate high quality sound, particularly in compact devices such as portable electronic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. 
       However, for purpose of explanation, several aspects of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example electronic device having an audio transducer module with a vented resonator in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an example electronic device having an audio transducer module with a vented resonator in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an audio transducer module having multiple resonators including a vented resonator, with a top wall of a housing of the module removed in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an audio transducer module having a vented resonator in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the audio transducer module of  FIG. 4  in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an electronic system with which one or more implementations of the subject technology may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. 
     Portable electronic devices such as a mobile phones, portable music players, tablet computers, laptop computers, wearable devices such as smart watches, headphones, earbuds, other wearable devices, and the like often include one or more audio transducers such as a microphone for receiving sound input, or a speaker for generating sound. 
     However, challenges can arise when constraints for spatial integration with other device components, airflow management, and/or other constraints compete with audio quality constraints when attempting to implement an audio transducer module (e.g., a speaker or speaker module) in a device. These challenges can be particularly difficult when attempting to implement an audio transducer module into a compact device such as a portable or a wearable device. 
     In accordance with various aspects of the subject disclosure, a speaker having a vented resonator is provided. The speaker may provide a flattened response at high frequencies, by providing multiple resonators (e.g., Helmholtz resonators, or HHRs) acoustically coupled to the front volume of the speaker. In one or more implementations, at least one of the resonators may include a barometric vent that allows airflow and/or equalization of pressure between the front volume and the back volume of the speaker through the resonator. In one or more implementations, providing a barometric vent within a resonator of a speaker (e.g., rather than locating the barometric vent in or directly coupled to the front volume) can help to reduce the size of a front volume of the speaker. Reducing the size of the front volume by providing the vent in the resonator in this way can be advantageous for producing a desired high frequency response of the speaker. This is because the reduced front volume size can help to reduce an overall geometrical path length (e.g., from a rear wall of the front volume) to a speaker port exit. Providing a barometric vent in an acoustic resonator of a speaker can thus help save front volume space and/or shorten the output path length of the speaker in one or more implementations. 
     An illustrative electronic device including a speaker is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , device  100  (e.g., an electronic device) has been implemented using a housing that is sufficiently small to be portable and carried by a user (e.g., device  100  of  FIG. 1  may be a handheld electronic device such as a tablet computer or a cellular telephone or smart phone). As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  100  includes a display such as display  110  mounted on the front of housing  106 . Device  100  includes one or more input/output devices such as a touch screen incorporated into display  110 , a button or switch such as button  104  and/or other input output components disposed on or behind display  110  or on or behind other portions of housing  106 . Display  110  and/or housing  106  include one or more openings to accommodate button  104 , a speaker, a light source, or a camera. 
     In the example of  FIG. 1 , housing  106  includes two openings  108  on a bottom sidewall of housing  106 . One or more of openings  108  forms a port for an audio component. For example, one of openings  108  may form a speaker port for a speaker disposed within housing  106  and another one of openings  108  may form a microphone port for a microphone disposed within housing  106 . Openings  108  may be open ports or may be completely or partially covered with a permeable membrane or a mesh structure that allows air and sound to pass through the openings. Although two openings  108  are shown in  FIG. 1 , this is merely illustrative. One opening  108 , two openings  108 , or more than two openings  108  may be provided on the bottom sidewall (as shown) on another sidewall (e.g., a top, left, or right sidewall), on a rear surface of housing  106  and/or a front surface of housing  106  or display  110 . In some implementations, one or more groups of openings  108  in housing  106  may be aligned with a single port of an audio component within housing  106 . Housing  106 , which may sometimes be referred to as a case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. 
     The configuration of device  100  of  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative. In other implementations, device  100  may be a computer such as a computer that is integrated into a display such as a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a pendant device, or other wearable or miniature device, a media player, a gaming device, a navigation device, a computer monitor, a television, a headphone, an earbud, or other electronic equipment. 
     In some implementations, device  100  may be provided in the form of a wearable device such as a smart watch. In one or more implementations, housing  106  may include one or more interfaces for mechanically coupling housing  106  to a strap or other structure for securing housing  106  to a wearer. Device  100  may include one, two, three, or more than three audio components each mounted adjacent to one or more of openings  108 . 
     A speaker disposed within housing  106  transmits sound through at least one associated opening  108 . A microphone may also be provided within housing  106  that receives sound through at least one associated opening in the housing  106 . In one or more implementations, a speaker (e.g., speaker module) may be mounted such that an output port of the speaker is mounted adjacent to, and aligned with a corresponding opening  108 . The speaker may include a front volume, a back volume, and one or more resonators including at least one vented resonator that allows airflow through the resonator between the front volume and the back volume, as described in further detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of device  100  in which an audio component is mounted. In the example of  FIG. 2 , device  100  includes speaker module  200  (also referred to herein as a speaker). Speaker module  200  includes housing  202  mounted adjacent at least one opening  108  in housing  106  of the device  100 . Housing  202  (e.g., a speaker housing of the speaker module) may be formed form one or more materials such as plastic and/or metal. As shown, speaker module  200  may include a front volume  208  and a back volume  212  that are separated by a structure  210 . The structure  210  may include a diaphragm  214  that is actuable to generate sound, and an interior wall  216 , that a least partially separate the front volume  208  and the back volume  212 . 
     As shown, speaker module  200  may include an output port  211  that is acoustically coupled to the front volume  208  and aligned with and mounted adjacent to an opening  108 , so that sound generated by the diaphragm  214  (e.g., responsive to control signals received from control circuitry such as device circuitry  299 ) can be transmitted through the opening  108  to the external environment. For example, the output port  211  may be sealed to the opening  108  using a sealing material  279 . Opening  108  may be an open port or may include a cover  289  such as a membrane or a mesh structure that discourages entry of liquid into housing  202 , but that is permeable to sound and air. Circuitry  221  (e.g., including a voice coil for actuating the diaphragm  214  to generate sound) of the speaker module  200  may be coupled to device circuitry such as device circuitry  299  (e.g., one or more processors of the device) via a connector  215 . Connector  215  may include a flexible integrated circuit or another flexible or rigid conductive connector. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the front volume  208  may be bounded in part by a top wall  204  of housing  202  (e.g., a speaker housing) for the speaker module  200 , and in part by the diaphragm  214  and the interior wall  216  that at least partially separate the front volume  208  from the back volume  212  within the housing. As shown, the back volume  212  may be bounded, in part by the interior wall  216  and a rear wall  206  of the housing  202 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the speaker module  200  may include a first port  218  in the interior wall  216  and a second port  220  in the interior wall  216 . A first resonator chamber  222  may be acoustically coupled to the front volume  208  (e.g., via the first port  218 ) and may be at least partially bounded by the rear wall  206  and a portion of a frame  219  of the speaker module  200 . In one or more implementations, a portion of the frame  219  may form the interior wall  216 . The speaker module  200  may also include second resonator chamber  224  that is acoustically coupled to the front volume  208  via a second port  220 . 
     For simplicity, the first resonator chamber  222  and the second resonator chamber  224  are shown in  FIG. 2  as being directly coupled to the front volume  208  by the respective first port  218  and second port  220 . However, as described in further detail herein after, respective first and second channels (also referred to herein as necks) can be provided that extend between the front volume  208  and the respective first and second resonator chambers (e.g., via the first and second ports). In various implementations, the size (e.g., length, width, height, cross-sectional area, etc.) of the first and second channels can be arranged to provide desired frequency control for sound passing into and/or out of the respective first and second resonator chambers. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the speaker module  200  may also include a third port  226  in the interior wall  216 . A third resonant chamber  228  may be acoustically coupled to the front volume  208  by the third port  226  (e.g., and a corresponding channel or neck that extends between the third port  226  and the third resonant chamber  228 ). As shown, a structure  217  may acoustically and/or fluidly separate the third resonator chamber  228  from the back volume  212 . 
     In one or more implementations, one or more of the resonator chambers of the speaker module  200  may include a barometric vent that allows passage of air between the resonator chamber and the back volume  212 . For example, in  FIG. 2 , the second resonator chamber  224  is shown with a barometric vent  230  that allows passage of air between the second resonator chamber  224  and the back volume  212 , and that prevents liquid from passing through the barometric vent  230 . Because the second resonator chamber  224  is fluidly coupled to the front volume  208 , the barometric vent  230  allows passage of air front the front volume  208  to the back volume  212  via the second resonator chamber  224 . However, the arrangement of  FIG. 2  is merely illustrative, and barometric vent  230  may be provided in any of the first resonator chamber  222 , the second resonator chamber  224 , or the third resonator chamber  228  and/or barometric vents may be provided in more than one of the first resonator chamber  222 , the second resonator chamber  224 , and the third resonator chamber  228 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , the third resonator chamber  228  is smaller than the first resonator chamber  222  and the second resonator chamber  224 , and is disposed at least partially between the first resonator chamber  222  and the second resonator chamber  224 . 
     For example,  FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the speaker module  200  with the top wall  204  removed so that example locations for the first resonator chamber  222 , the second resonator chamber  224 , and the third resonator chamber  228  can be seen. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the top surface of the diaphragm  214  is visible, and the diaphragm  214  is and coupled to the interior wall  216  by a surround  302  that allows the diaphragm  214  to actuate to generate sound in the front volume  208  that passes out of the output port  211 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first resonator chamber  222 , the second resonator chamber  224 , and the third resonator chamber  228  may be located away from the output port  211  for improved acoustic performance of the respective resonators formed by the first resonator chamber  222 , the second resonator chamber  224 , and the third resonator chamber  228 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 3 , the third resonator chamber  228  is disposed between a drive region of the speaker module  200  in which the diaphragm  214  is located, and an additional speaker volume  325  (e.g., an excess volume that is fluidly coupled to the back volume  212 ). 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates how the first resonator chamber  222  and the second resonator chamber  224  may be covered by cover member  301  and cover member  303 , respectively. The cover member  301  and the cover member  303  may partially define, respectively, the first resonator chamber  222  and the second resonator chamber  224  and/or first and second respective channels extending between the front volume  208  and the first resonator chamber  222  and the second resonator chamber  224 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the speaker module  200  may include a first acoustic mesh  304  over the second port  220 , and a second acoustic mesh  308  over the third port  226 . As shown, the first acoustic mesh  304  may be spatially and acoustically separated from the second acoustic mesh  308 . In this way, the mesh structure of the first acoustic mesh  304  and the second acoustic mesh  308  may be individually tuned to control (e.g., high frequency) sound input, respectively, to the first resonator chamber  222  and third resonator chamber  228 . 
     Additional features of the first and second resonators of the speaker module  200  can be seen in the cross-sectional side view of  FIG. 4 , taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with one or more implementations of the subject technology. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the speaker module may include a frame  219 . A portion of the frame  219  may form, for example, the interior wall  216  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first acoustic mesh  304  may span an opening in the frame  219  corresponding to the second port  220 , and the second acoustic mesh  308  may span an opening in the frame  219  corresponding to the third port  226 .  FIG. 4  also shows how the speaker module  200  may include a first channel (e.g., channel  410 ) extending between the front volume  208  and the first resonator chamber  222 , a second channel (e.g., channel  414 ) extending between the front volume  208  and the second resonator chamber  224  (e.g., via second port  220 ), and a third channel  423  extending between the front volume  208  and the third resonator chamber  228  (e.g., via third port  226 ). In this example, the second channel (e.g., channel  414 ) is partially defined (e.g., on a first side of the channel) by the cover member  303  and partially defined (e.g., on an opposing second side of the channel) by a portion of the frame  219 . In this example, the first channel (e.g., channel  410 ) includes a horizontal portion  421  that is partially defined (e.g., on a first side of the channel) by the cover member  301  and partially defined (e.g., on an opposing second side of the channel) by a portion of the frame  219 , and a vertical portion  408  that is defined by the frame  219  and extends substantially at a right angle from the horizontal portion  421  to the first resonator chamber  222 . As shown, an acoustic mesh  402  may be provided at the interior end of the first channel (e.g., channel  410 ), spanning an opening from the vertical portion  408  to the first resonator chamber  222 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the first resonator chamber  222  may a volume (a portion of which is not visible in the cross-section of  FIG. 4 ) that is larger than the volume of the second resonator chamber  224 , which is larger than the volume of the third resonator chamber  228 . In the arrangement of the resonators shown in  FIG. 3 , the barometric vent  230  may be disposed in the second resonator chamber  224  due to, for example, (i) the lack of access between the first resonator chamber  222  and the back volume  212 , the relatively larger size of the second resonator chamber  224  than the third resonator chamber  228  (e.g., thus providing additional space in which to mount the barometric vent structures), and/or (iii) the position of the third resonator chamber  228  in the airway  404  between the drive region of the speaker module  200  and the additional speaker volume  325 . For example, in one more other implementations, a barometric vent can be provided in the structure  217  that bounds the third resonator chamber  228  and separates the third resonator chamber  228  from the back volume  212 . However, in one more other implementations (e.g., including the implementation illustrated in  FIG. 4 ), the barometric vent  230  may be formed in the second resonator chamber  224  to avoid adding additional structures that block or impede airflow through the airway  404  between the drive region of the speaker module  200  and the additional speaker volume  325 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the speaker module  200  may also include a cap  406  that closes an opening  415  in the housing  202  of the speaker module  200 . As shown, the cap  406  may be disposed adjacent to, and may have a size and a shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the barometric vent  230 . Providing the cap  406  over the barometric vent  430  may allow testing of one or more seals of the front volume  208 . For example, during manufacturing of the speaker module  200 , the cap  406  may be removed and gas (e.g., air) can be injected into the front volume  208  via the barometric vent  230 , the second resonator chamber  224 , and the second port  220  to pressurize the front volume  208  for testing. During operation of the speaker module  200 , the cap  406  may close and seal the opening  415 , and airflow between the front volume  208  and the back volume  212  may occur via the second port  220 , the second resonator chamber  224 , and the barometric vent  230  (e.g., when the diaphragm  214  is actuated), which allows pressure equalization between the front volume  208  and the back volume  212 . 
     As shown in the example of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a speaker module, such as speaker module  200 , may include a front volume  208 , a back volume  212 , a diaphragm  214  separating the front volume  208  from the back volume  212 , a resonator having a second port  220  to the front volume  208  and a chamber (e.g., second resonator chamber  224 ) having at least one wall (e.g., wall  440 ) adjacent the back volume  212 , and a vent (e.g., barometric vent  230 ) in the wall  440  that allows airflow from the front volume  208  to the back volume  212  via the resonator. As shown, the speaker module  200  may also include a channel  414  extending between the second port  220  and the chamber (e.g., second resonator chamber  224 ). 
     As shown, the vent allows the airflow from the front volume  208  to the back volume  212  via the second port  220 , the channel  414 , and the chamber (e.g., second resonator chamber  224 ). As shown, the chamber (e.g., second resonator chamber  224 ) may be disposed between the channel  414  and the vent (e.g., barometric vent  230 ). 
     In the example of  FIG. 4 , the speaker module  200  may also include a first additional resonator, the first additional resonator having a chamber (e.g., third resonator chamber  228 ) with a volume that is less than a volume of the chamber (e.g., second resonator chamber  224 ) of the resonator. The volume of the chamber (e.g., second resonator chamber  224 ) of the resonator may correspond to a first resonant frequency, and the volume of the chamber of the first additional resonator (e.g., third resonator chamber  228 ) may correspond to a second resonant frequency that is higher than the first resonant frequency. In one or more implementations, the speaker module  200  may also include a second additional resonator having a chamber (e.g., first resonator chamber  222 ) with a volume that corresponds to a third resonant frequency that is lower than the first and second resonant frequencies. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first additional resonator may be disposed at least partially between the resonator and the second additional resonator. In one or more implementations, the second additional resonator (e.g., including the first resonator chamber  222 ) may bounded at least in part by a portion of a rear wall  206  of a housing  202  of the speaker module  200 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , in one more implementations, the second additional resonator may include a channel  410  that extends between the front volume  208  and the chamber (e.g., first resonator chamber  222 ) of the second additional resonator, the channel  410  having a horizontal portion  421  that is at least partially defined by a cover member  301  that separates the channel  410  from the front volume  208 , and a vertical portion  408  that extends substantially orthogonally to the horizontal portion. The second additional resonator may also include an acoustic mesh  402  that spans an internal end of the vertical portion  408  of the channel  410  within the chamber (e.g., first resonator chamber  222 ). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged top perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the speaker module  200  of  FIG. 4 , in order to illustrate features of the vented resonator of the speaker module. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the barometric vent  230  may be formed, in part, by an opening  500  in the wall  440  that separates the second resonator chamber  224  from the back volume  212 . As shown, the barometric vent  230  may include a membrane  502  that spans the opening  500  in the wall  440 . The membrane  502  may be an air-permeable, liquid-resistant membrane (e.g., a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane, such as an extended PTFE or ePTFE membrane) that allows air to pass through the membrane and that prevents liquid (e.g., water) from passing through the membrane. In this way, the barometric vent  230  allows pressure equalization between the front volume  208  and the back volume  212 , and prevents liquid ingress into the back volume from the front volume (e.g., in a scenario in which water or other liquid enters the speaker module  200  from the external environment through the opening  108  and the output port  211 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the barometric vent  230  may be disposed within the back volume  212  (e.g., and mounted to a surface of the wall  440  that interfaces with the back volume). As shown, the barometric vent  230  may include an adhesive layer  508  (e.g., a pressure-sensitive adhesive or other adhesive) that attaches a first side of the membrane  502  to the wall  440  and has an opening that is aligned with the opening  500 . The barometric vent  230  may also include an adhesive layer  506  (e.g., a pressure-sensitive adhesive or other adhesive) on an opposing second side of the membrane  502 , the adhesive layer  506  also including an opening aligned with the opening in the adhesive layer  508  and the opening  500  in the wall  440 . The barometric vent may also include a stiffener layer  504  that has an opening aligned with the opening in the adhesive layer  508 , the opening in the adhesive layer  506 , and the opening  500  in the wall  440 , and that is attached to the second side of the membrane by the adhesive layer  506 . 
     It is also appreciated that the structure of the barometric vent  230  and the location of the barometric vent  230  can be varied while still allowing airflow and preventing liquid ingress through the opening  500 . For example, in various other implementations, the ends of the membrane  502  may be embedded within the wall  440  or within a mounting ring that is attached to the interior edge of the opening  500 . As another example, the membrane  502  may be attached to the wall  440  on the side of the wall  440  that is interior to the second resonator chamber  224 . The arrangement shown in  FIG. 5  may be advantageous as the barometric vent  230  can be implemented in the speaker module by inserting the barometric vent  230  into the speaker module through the opening  415  (e.g., and attaching the membrane  502  to the wall  440  using the adhesive layer  508  while the cap  406  is removed), and then closing the opening  415  with the cover structure. 
     As illustrated by the examples of  FIGS. 2-5 , a speaker module  200  may be provided that includes a front volume  208 , a back volume  212 , and a vented resonator having a port (e.g., second port  220 ) to the front volume  208 , a resonator chamber (e.g., second resonator chamber  224 ), a channel  414  extending from the port to the resonator chamber, and a barometric vent  230  between the resonator chamber and the back volume  212 . In one or more implementations, the vented resonator is formed, in part, by an opening  500  in a wall  440  that defines at least a portion of the resonator chamber, and a membrane  502  that extends over the opening  500 . In one or more implementations, the membrane  502  is disposed within the back volume  212  and is attached to a surface of the wall  440  that interfaces with the back volume  212 . In one or more implementations, the speaker module also includes at least one additional resonator (e.g., including the first resonator chamber  222  and/or including the third resonator chamber  228 ) that is fluidly coupled to the front volume  208  and that is fluidly separate from back volume  212 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an electronic system  600  with which one or more implementations of the subject technology may be implemented. The electronic system  600  can be, and/or can be a part of, one or more of the device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The electronic system  600  may include various types of computer readable media and interfaces for various other types of computer readable media. The electronic system  600  includes a bus  608 , one or more processing unit(s)  612 , a system memory  604  (and/or buffer), a ROM  610 , a permanent storage device  602 , an input device interface  614 , an output device interface  606 , and one or more network interfaces  616 , or subsets and variations thereof. 
     The bus  608  collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of the electronic system  600 . In one or more implementations, the bus  608  communicatively connects the one or more processing unit(s)  612  with the ROM  610 , the system memory  604 , and the permanent storage device  602 . From these various memory units, the one or more processing unit(s)  612  retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of the subject disclosure. The one or more processing unit(s)  612  can be a single processor or a multi-core processor in different implementations. 
     The ROM  610  stores static data and instructions that are needed by the one or more processing unit(s)  612  and other modules of the electronic system  600 . The permanent storage device  602 , on the other hand, may be a read-and-write memory device. The permanent storage device  602  may be a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when the electronic system  600  is off. In one or more implementations, a mass-storage device (such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) may be used as the permanent storage device  602 . 
     In one or more implementations, a removable storage device (such as a floppy disk, flash drive, and its corresponding disk drive) may be used as the permanent storage device  602 . Like the permanent storage device  602 , the system memory  604  may be a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike the permanent storage device  602 , the system memory  604  may be a volatile read-and-write memory, such as random access memory. The system memory  604  may store any of the instructions and data that one or more processing unit(s)  612  may need at runtime. In one or more implementations, the processes of the subject disclosure are stored in the system memory  604 , the permanent storage device  602 , and/or the ROM  610 . From these various memory units, the one or more processing unit(s)  612  retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of one or more implementations. 
     The bus  608  also connects to the input and output device interfaces  614  and  606 . The input device interface  614  enables a user to communicate information and select commands to the electronic system  600 . Input devices that may be used with the input device interface  614  may include, for example, alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursor control devices”). The output device interface  606  may enable, for example, the display of images generated by electronic system  600 . Output devices that may be used with the output device interface  606  may include, for example, printers and display devices, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a flat panel display, a solid state display, a projector, a speaker or speaker module, or any other device for outputting information. One or more implementations may include devices that function as both input and output devices, such as a touchscreen. In these implementations, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. 
     Finally, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the bus  608  also couples the electronic system  600  to one or more networks and/or to one or more network nodes through the one or more network interface(s)  616 . In this manner, the electronic system  600  can be a part of a network of computers (such as a LAN, a wide area network (“WAN”), or an Intranet, or a network of networks, such as the Internet. Any or all components of the electronic system  600  can be used in conjunction with the subject disclosure. 
     In accordance with some aspects of the subject disclosure, a speaker is provided that includes a front volume, a back volume, a diaphragm separating the front volume from the back volume, a resonator having a port to the front volume and a chamber having at least one wall adjacent the back volume, and a vent in the wall that allows airflow from the front volume to the back volume via the resonator. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the subject disclosure, an electronic device is provided that includes a device housing having an opening, and a speaker having an output port aligned with the opening in the device housing. The speaker includes a front volume, a back volume, a diaphragm separating the front volume from the back volume, a resonator having a port to the front volume and a chamber having at least one wall adjacent the back volume, and a vent in the wall that allows airflow from the front volume to the back volume via the resonator. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the subject disclosure, a speaker is provided that includes a front volume, a back volume, and a vented resonator having a port to the front volume, a resonator chamber, a channel extending from the port to the resonator chamber, and a barometric vent between the resonator chamber and the back volume. 
     Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely realized using a tangible computer-readable storage medium (or multiple tangible computer-readable storage media of one or more types) encoding one or more instructions. The tangible computer-readable storage medium also can be non-transitory in nature. 
     The computer-readable storage medium can be any storage medium that can be read, written, or otherwise accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computing device, including any processing electronics and/or processing circuitry capable of executing instructions. For example, without limitation, the computer-readable medium can include any volatile semiconductor memory, such as RAM, DRAM, SRAM, T-RAM, Z-RAM, and TTRAM. 
     The computer-readable medium also can include any non-volatile semiconductor memory, such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, NVRAM, flash, nvSRAM, FeRAM, FeTRAM, MRAM, PRAM, CBRAM, SONOS, RRAM, NRAM, racetrack memory, FJG, and Millipede memory. 
     Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include any non-semiconductor memory, such as optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, magnetic tape, other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing one or more instructions. In one or more implementations, the tangible computer-readable storage medium can be directly coupled to a computing device, while in other implementations, the tangible computer-readable storage medium can be indirectly coupled to a computing device, e.g., via one or more wired connections, one or more wireless connections, or any combination thereof. 
     Instructions can be directly executable or can be used to develop executable instructions. For example, instructions can be realized as executable or non-executable machine code or as instructions in a high-level language that can be compiled to produce executable or non-executable machine code. Further, instructions also can be realized as or can include data. Computer-executable instructions also can be organized in any format, including routines, subroutines, programs, data structures, objects, modules, applications, applets, functions, etc. As recognized by those of skill in the art, details including, but not limited to, the number, structure, sequence, and organization of instructions can vary significantly without varying the underlying logic, function, processing, and output. 
     While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor or multi-core processors that execute software, one or more implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs. In one or more implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructions that are stored on the circuit itself. 
     Various functions described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniques can be implemented using one or more computer program products. Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged as mobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one or more programmable processors and by one or more programmable logic circuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storage devices can be interconnected through communication networks. 
     Some implementations include electronic components, such as microprocessors, storage and memory that store computer program instructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordable compact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, ultra density optical discs, any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media can store a computer program that is executable by at least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions for performing various operations. Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level code that are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter. 
     While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor or multi-core processors that execute software, some implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructions that are stored on the circuit itself. 
     As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the terms “display” or “displaying” means displaying on an electronic device. As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals. 
     Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented as software processes that are specified as a set of instructions recorded on a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computer readable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or more processing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors, or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to perform the actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips, hard drives, EPROMs, etc. The computer readable media does not include carrier waves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wired connections. 
     In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmware residing in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage, which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, in some implementations, multiple software aspects of the subject disclosure can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct software aspects of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, multiple software aspects can also be implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs that together implement a software aspect described here is within the scope of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, the software programs, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems, define one or more specific machine implementations that execute and perform the operations of the software programs. 
     A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. Some of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. For example, in certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure. 
     The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. For example, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code 
     A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa. 
     The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or design. 
     In one aspect, a term coupled or the like may refer to being directly coupled. In another aspect, a term coupled or the like may refer to being indirectly coupled. 
     Terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, horizontal, vertical, and the like refer to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, such a term may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. 
     All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210507
Publication Date: 20220920
Grant Date: 20220920
Priority Date: 20210507
Inventors: LEONHARDT, Oliver
ROTOLO, LOGAN A.
NOTARANGELO, Claudio
KIM, JOSHUA
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R1/2888", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2849", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2499/11", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2826", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2888", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2888", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/2826", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 83286508