WO2011082230A1

WO2011082230A1 - Electronic device including non-visually interfering ducting through a transparent housing portion

Info

Publication number: WO2011082230A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/062360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert A. Zurek; Roger W. Ady; Jie Chen; Joel A. Clark; Giles T. Davis; Steve C. Emmert; Bai-Shu Liao; Louis J. Lundell; Daniel S. Thorstenson
Original assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
Priority date: 2009-12-31
Filing date: 2010-12-29
Publication date: 2011-07-07

Abstract

A handheld portable electronic device is provided, which includes a two part housing including a first housing, and a second housing coupled to the first housing, where the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position and a close position. The first housing has a display viewable via a first surface of the first housing, which is adjacent to the second housing when the two part housing is in a close position. The second housing has a substantially transparent portion through which the display of the first housing is visible, while the two part housing is in the close position. The second housing includes a sound port, via which a sound can enter or exit the housing, proximate a first end of the second housing, and one of a sound producing element or a sound receiving element proximate a second end of the second housing which is opposite the first end of the second housing. The one of the sound producing element or the sound receiving element is acoustically coupled to the sound port by a duct, which extends between the first end of the second housing and the second end of the second housing through at least a part of the substantially transparent portion of the second housing.

Description

ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING NON-VISUALLY INTERFERING DUCTING THROUGH A TRANSPARENT HOUSING PORTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the ducting and porting of acoustic signals within an electronic device, and more particularly, to the routing and positioning of the ducting and porting so as to reduce the visual interference relative to a transparent housing portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There continues to be an ongoing trend for many types of devices for the overall size of the device to be reduced. However one of the factors, which limits any such goal is a desire for the user to be able to comfortably interact with the device. One such use configuration for which there is a desire to provide for a comfortable user interaction involves the use of a device which supports voice communications and involves the placement of the device proximate one's head to allow a source of audio signals, such as a speaker to be positioned proximate the user's ear and a detector of audio signals, such as a microphone to be positioned proximate the user's mouth.

Devices having a two part housing have become popular, because they allow portions of the device to fold, rotate and/or slide relative to one another depending upon how it is currently being used, and depending upon whether it is currently being used to support an active voice communication or not, so as to support the comfortable position of the speaker and the microphone and supporting structure for transmitting and receiving audio signals relative to the user's ear and mouth in support of the voice communication, while also allowing for a configuration which is more compact when not being currently used for a voice call.

One of the dimensions that has been less affected by use constraints includes device thickness. Device thickness up to now has largely been dictated by the size, shape and placement of the included components, where in some instances a device may have more or less flexibility depending upon how the manufacturer of the device acquires or produces the corresponding components. At least some recent flip phones have provided for a phone base with a display, where the phone has a transparent flip which is coupled to the phone base, through which the display is visible. At least some of these designs have made use of touch sensitive displays, which sometimes allow for at least some user interactions with the displayed elements regardless as to whether the flip is in an open or close position. Nevertheless, even where some elements such as a display have been relocated away from the flip portion of the housing, in many instances there is still a desire for the flip to support an earpiece to be positioned proximate the user's ear for reproducing transmitted sounds, such as in support of a voice communication. This often involves the use of a speaker or transducer, and associated porting coupled to and/or incorporated as part of the ear piece, which in turn results in one or more components that need to be positioned within the device in order to support this intended function. Generally, the continued presence of components, such as a speaker or transducer within the flip will require a certain minimum amount of space which in turn will place limits on ones ability to reduce certain dimensions of the overall device. Furthermore, depending upon the position of the components within the flip, the components can sometimes visually impair the user's ability to view some portions of the display, which might be positioned below the components when the flip is in a close position.

The present inventors have recognized that if one could adjust the placement of some components within the device, one may be able to have greater opportunity in further reducing one or more dimensions of the device, as well as limit the potential for visual impairment. More specifically, the inventors have recognized that one can relocate the sound producing element or sound receiving element, such as a speaker, transducer or a microphone, further away from the sound emitting port or the sound receiving port by providing sufficient ducting between the sound producing element or sound receiving element. The inventors have further recognized that there can be greater flexibility in defining the size and shape of corresponding ducting than there is with defining the size and shape of a sound producing element or sound receiving element. By relocating the sound producing element or sound receiving element and making use of ducting to span the increased distance there between, one may have greater flexibility in adjusting the size and shape of certain dimensions of other elements, such as the flip of a device having a two part housing, thereby allowing for greater reductions in the overall thickness, while minimizing the impact on other aspects of the devices performance. Furthermore, the greater flexibility in the positioning of the ducting makes it easier to avoid areas, where it is desirable to be able to limit the placement of components, such as areas where it is desirable to be able to see through at least a portion of the device. As such, the inventors have recognized that an increased use of ducting to couple the sound producing element or sound receiving element to their respective porting would be beneficial. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a handheld portable electronic device. The handheld portable electronic device includes a two part housing including a first housing, and a second housing coupled to the first housing, where the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position and a close position. The first housing has a display viewable via a first surface of the first housing, which is adjacent to the second housing when the two part housing is in a close position. The second housing has a substantially transparent portion through which the display of the first housing is visible, while the two part housing is in the close position. The second housing includes a sound port, via which a sound can enter or exit the housing, proximate a first end of the second housing, and one of a sound producing element or a sound receiving element proximate a second end of the second housing which is opposite the first end of the second housing. The one of the sound producing element or the sound receiving element is acoustically coupled to the sound port by a duct, which extends between the first end of the second housing and the second end of the second housing through at least a part of the substantially transparent portion of the second housing.

In at least one embodiment, the first part of the two part housing is coupled to the second part of the two part housing via a hinge mechanism.

In at least a further embodiment, the duct frames a portion of the display visible through the second housing when the two part housing is in the close position. In a still further embodiment, the duct extends between the one of the sound producing or the sound receiving element, and the sound port proximate a side edge forming the outer periphery of the second housing.

These and other features, and advantages of this invention are evident from the following description of one or more preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary wireless communication device in an open position, the wireless communication device having a two part housing, where each part of the two part housing move relative to one another by rotating about a hinge access;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the exemplary wireless communication device illustrated in FIG. 1, in a close position;

FIG. 3 is a view of a communication device having a two part housing positioned proximate a user's face, which illustrates the positioning of a port associated with the sound producing element proximate the user's ear and the positioning of a port associated with the sound receiving element proximate the user's mouth;

FIG. 4 is a partial front plan view of the communication device in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a partial front plan view of the communication device illustrated in FIG. 4, in a close position;

FIG. 6 is a partial front plan view of the top of the flip highlighting a leak tolerant surface slot extending from the left side of the flip to the right side of the flip, and coinciding with the port associated with the sound producing element;

FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway side view of a flip at the end of the flip that is proximate the port associated with the sound producing element, which illustrates a leak tolerant port, that shares an opening with the port associated with the sound producing element;

FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway side view of a flip at the end of the flip that is proximate the port associated with the sound producing element, which illustrates a leak tolerant port configured as through holes in the housing, that does not share an opening with port associated with the sound producing element;

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of a flip at the end proximate the port associated with the sound producing element illustrating a damping material at the end of the duct;

FIG. 10 is a partial isometric view of a portion of the duct proximate the port associated with the sound producing element, that illustrates a damping element which is inserted into the duct at the end of the duct and includes multiple holes whose cross-section are each smaller than the cross-section of the port and the duct; and

FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of a portion of the duct at a point along the length of the duct between the sound producing element and the port associated with the sound producing element illustrating a damping element including multiple holes whose cross-section are each smaller than the cross-section of the port and the duct, which is inserted into the duct.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication device 100 having a two part housing including an upper housing 102 or flip portion, and a lower housing 104 or base portion, which each rotate 106 relative to one another via a hinge 1 10 about a hinge axis 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 110 includes a pair of knuckles 1 12, which forms part of the lower housing 104, that are spaced apart and proximate respective side edges of the lower housing, and has a space there between within which a single knuckle 114 associated with the upper housing is positioned. The knuckles correspond to an area within which a pin (not shown) can be received about which at least one of the two housings will rotate relative to the other. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower housing 104 includes a display 1 16, and a sound receiving port 118 which is commonly associated with a sound receiving element, such as a microphone. In at least some instances the display may incorporate touch and/or proximity sensing technology, which enables the screen to detect the interaction of a pointer relative to the surface of the display for interacting with displayed elements and providing user input to the device. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper housing 102 is substantially transparent, which enables the display to be seen through the upper housing 102, even when the two part housing is in a close position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The upper housing includes a sound emitting port 120, which is commonly associated with a sound producing element, such as a transducer or speaker. The sound emitting port 120 often forms part of an earpiece 122, which is positioned, shaped and contoured to manage the conveyance of sound produced by the device to the ear of a user.

In the open position, the two part housing provides a suitable spacing between the sound receiving port 1 18 and the sound emitting port 120 to support the respective positioning of the ports proximate a user's ear and a user's mouth, when the device is positioned proximate the user's head (see FIG. 3). In this way, the user can more comfortably interact with the device as part of a voice communication, where the user's voice can be readily detected by the sound receiving port 118, while the user is also listening to any sound being currently conveyed via the sound emitting port 120.

Generally, one often tries to position the sound producing element and the sound receiving element proximate their respective porting. However, the present inventors have recognized that they can relocate the sound producing element away from the sound emitting port 120, and acoustically couple the sound emitting port 120 to the sound producing element via a relatively lengthy duct. Because there is greater flexibility in managing the size and shape of the duct, as opposed to the size and the shape of a sound producing element, such as a speaker or a transducer, it is possible to make the thickness of the flip thinner by positioning the sound producing element in an area of the phone having greater space availability. In accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, the sound producing element is located in the hinge area, and more specifically in the knuckle 114 of the upper housing 102. In this way not only does the sound producing element no longer contribute to the thickness of the flip in the areas away from the hinge, but the transducer no longer visually obstructs the portion of the display proximate the sound emitting port, when the two part housing is in a close position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial front plan view of the communication device in an open position. In the illustrated embodiment, a sound producing element 122 is shown as being positioned within the knuckle 1 14 of the hinge 1 10, at an end of the upper housing distal from the sound emitting port 120. A pair of ducts 124 acoustically couples the sound producing element 122 to the sound emitting port 120. While a pair of ducts 124 is shown, generally designs making use of only a single duct are possible. Still further, it is possible that more than the shown pair of ducts could also be used without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The greater area in the knuckle can provide a modest volume of air on each side of the sound producing element 122, such as the transducer and/or speaker, which can be used to manage the sound generating characteristics of the sound producing element 122. For example, the volume to the rear of the sound producing element 122 can be sealed, and the volume to the front of the sound producing element can open into the one or more ducts 124. Given the relatively long lengths and modest cross sectional area of the ducts 124, the ducts can be used to provide a significant amount of mass loading. The relatively small volume in the knuckle can sometimes have the effect of shifting the first resonance of the speaker up in frequency, which in some instances can limit the usable bandwidth of the device. However significant mass loading which can be provided by the ducts 124 can be used to shift the first resonance of the system back down to a frequency that provides a full bandwidth signal.

Dashed lines 126 defines an area corresponding to the region substantially coinciding with the display 1 16, when the flip or upper housing 102 is in a close position relative to the base or lower housing 104. By routing the ducts 124 substantially outside of the dashed area, proximate the side edge of the upper housing 102, it is possible to minimize the amount that the ducts 124 might interfere and/or distort the view of the display 1 16, when the display is seen through a substantially transparent flip or upper housing 102. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial front plan view of the communication device illustrated in FIG. 4, in a close position. In this view, the spatial relationship of the placement of the ducts 124 relative to the view of the display 1 16, when the display is seen through the transparent flip or upper housing 102, can be more readily appreciated. In addition to providing the functional acoustic coupling between the sound emitting port and the sound producing element 122, it is further possible to position the path of the duct(s) 124, so as to frame the view of the display 116 in a potentially aesthetically pleasing manner.

Due to the framing of the viewable area by the acoustic ducts 124, there is a relatively large potentially unused region with the upper housing 102 inside the boundary of the ducts 124 and over the viewing area. This region could include a large acoustic volume. The large acoustic volume could be coupled to the ports in an area proximate an earpiece region associated with the ducting of the sound producing element 122, that might be used for robustness of ear loading conditions. The large acoustic volume could also be used to form high pass and/or bandpass acoustic filters by coupling this volume to the duct with appropriately sized ports extending from the duct to the volume. Such acoustic filters could be used to tune the frequency response of the acoustic system. The large acoustic volume could also be used as the rear volume of the sound producing element 122, as an additional and/or alternative to using a volume in the knuckle. In such an instance, the large acoustic volume would correspond to an acoustic cavity coupled to the side of the sound producing element 122, which is opposite to the side that couples to the acoustic ducts 124. The boundaries for any such large acoustic volume, which might produce a visually discernable seam or juncture could be positioned outside of the viewable area 126, similar to at least a portion of the acoustic ducts 124, in order to similarly limit the visual impairment associated with any such structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial front plan view of the top of the flip, corresponding to the end of the flip that is distal from the hinge, and highlights a leak tolerant surface slot 128 extending from the left side to the right side of the flip which coincides with the sound emitting port 120 associated with the sound producing element. In effect the slot 128 provides a surface that is tolerant to a varying placement of the user's ear relative to the surface proximate the sound emitting port 120, while limiting the differences in sound quality, if any, perceived by the user across a larger portion of the surface of the upper housing. Furthermore leak tolerant ports 130 can be used which extend through the upper housing 102. For example as illustrated in FIG. 7, the leak tolerant ports 130 can share an opening with the sound emitting port 120. Additionally and/or alternatively, the leak tolerant ports 130 can be configured so that they do not share an opening with the sound emitting port 120, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Because a duct that extends around the outer perimeter of the upper housing will have a length that is longer than one quarter of the wavelength of some frequencies that it will be desirable to reproduce, the duct may produce a frequency response which includes peaks and valleys at different frequencies dependent upon the specific characteristics of the duct. It is possible to smooth out some of the frequency dependent variations resulting from the geometries of the ducts 126 by providing an acoustic dampening to the system. FIG. 9 illustrates a specific partial side view of a flip or upper housing 102 at the an end of the upper housing 102, that is proximate the sound emitting port 120 associated with the sound producing element 122, and which is at an end of the upper housing 102 that is distal to the sound producing element 122. In the illustrated embodiment, a damping material 132 is illustrated which is located at the end of the duct 126 proximate the sound emitting opening 120. The damping material 132 can help to smooth out the above noted peaks and valleys in the frequency response, which correspond to the resonant frequencies of the duct 126, depending upon the particular geometries selected for the one or more ducts 126. The material can be formed using a fibrous material, a woven material, or a non-woven material. Still further, in addition to being placed at the sound emitting opening 120, the damping material 132 can additionally or alternatively be placed within the duct 126, along the length of the duct 126.

In addition to providing acoustic dampening, dampening material 132 which is positioned to cover the sound emitting opening 120 can also help to prevent foreign materials, such as dust or other particles from entering and collecting within the duct 126. Any such foreign material might produce a visually unpleasant effect, especially in instances where the duct is located within a substantially visually transparent material, that is visible to the user. However it is also possible to apply an opaque material, such as a trim ring, which coincides with the duct, but which avoids the area through which it is desirable to view the display 1 16, in order to visually hide the duct from the user and correspondingly any dust or particles, which might collect in the duct over time.

Alternative and/or further dampening can be provided using an insert or damping element 134, which could be formed and/or inserted along the length of the duct, that includes multiple holes each having a cross section, which is meaningfully smaller than the cross sectional area of the duct 126 or the sound emitting port 120. FIG. 10 illustrates a partial isometric view of a portion of the duct proximate the sound emitting port 120 illustrating a damping element 134 inserted into the duct at the end of the duct. The damping element 134 includes multiple holes whose cross- section are each smaller than the port and the duct cross-section. The diameter and length of these multiple holes can be varied to achieve the desired additional acoustic impedance. FIG. 1 1 illustrates a similar damping element inserted into the duct at a point along the length of the duct between the sound producing element and the sound emitting port 120.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A handheld portable electronic device comprising:

a two part housing including a first housing and a second housing coupled to the first housing, where the first housing moves relative to the second housing between an open position and a close position;

the first housing having a display viewable via a first surface of the first housing, which is adjacent to the second housing when the two part housing is in a close position;

the second housing having a substantially transparent portion through which the display of the first housing is visible, while the two part housing is in the close position;

wherein the second housing includes a sound port, via which a sound can enter or exit the housing, proximate a first end of the second housing and one of a sound producing element or a sound receiving element proximate a second end of the second housing which is opposite the first end of the second housing,

the one of the sound producing element or the sound receiving element is acoustically coupled to the sound port by a duct, which extends between the first end of the second housing and the second end of the second housing through at least a part of the substantially transparent portion of the second housing.

2. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first part of the two part housing is coupled to the second part of the two part housing via a hinge mechanism.

3. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the second end of the second housing having the one of the sound producing element or the sound receiving element is located proximate the hinge.

4. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the one of the sound producing element or the sound receiving element is located in a knuckle of the hinge.

5. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the duct frames a portion of the display visible through the second housing when the two part housing is in the close position.

6. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the duct extends between the one of the sound producing or the sound receiving element, and the sound port proximate a side edge forming the outer periphery of the second housing.

7. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the duct includes a first passage along a first side edge of the second housing and a second passage along a second side edge of the second housing.

8. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first housing of the two part housing is a base.

9. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second housing of the two part housing is a flip.

10. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sound port forms part of an earpiece, and the one of the sound producing element or the sound receiving element is a sound producing element.

1 1. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the second housing further includes an acoustic volume, which at least partially overlaps the substantially transparent portion of the second housing through which the display of the first housing is visible.

12. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1 1, wherein the sound producing element has a first side, which is acoustically coupled to the sound port by the duct, and a second side opposite the first side; and wherein the acoustic volume is coupled to the second side of the sound producing element.

13. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 10, wherein when the handheld portable electronic device is in an open position, the earpiece is intended to be positioned proximate an ear of a user.

14. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one of the sound producing element or the sound receiving element is a sound receiving element, and wherein when the handheld portable electronic device is in an open position, the sound port is intended to be positioned proximate a mouth of a user.

15. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the duct includes an additional acoustic impedance.

16. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 15, wherein the acoustic impedance is a damping material located within the duct at a point along a length of the duct as it extends between the first end of the second housing and the second end of the second housing.

17. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 15, wherein the acoustic impedance is damping material located proximate the sound port.

18. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 15, wherein the additional acoustic impedance includes a plurality of openings extending in a direction parallel to the duct, the plurality of openings each having a cross-sectional area, which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the duct.

19. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim I, wherein the portable electronic device includes a transceiver coupled to an antenna for sending or receiving wireless communication signals.

20. A handheld portable electronic device in accordance with claim 19, wherein the portable electronic device is a cellular telephone.