Communication device with single output audio transducer

1. A communication device comprising:

a first audio output;

a second audio output;

an audio transducer for dual mode use;

a shuttered acoustic path coupled between the audio transducer and the first audio output, wherein the shuttered acoustic path includes a movable shutter; and

an attenuated acoustic path coupled between the audio transducer and the second audio output.

2. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first audio output is selected from a group comprising a speakerphone and an audio alerting mechanism.

3. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second audio output comprises an earpiece.

4. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the movable shutter opens the shuttered acoustic path when the first audio output is active.

5. A communication device as recited in claim 4 , wherein the movable shutter further closes the attenuated acoustic path simultaneously with opening the shuttered acoustic path.

6. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the movable shutter closes the shuttered acoustic path when the second audio output is active.

7. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the attenuated acoustic path further comprises a passive porting.

8. A communication device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the second audio output comprises an earpiece, and further wherein the passive porting comprises an earpiece seal.

9. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , where the attenuated acoustic path includes one or more of the group comprising an acoustic resistive element, a viscous loss element, and an acoustic mass element.

10. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , the communication device further comprising:

a controller coupled to the movable shutter for controlling the positioning of the movable shutter in response to an activation of one of the first audio output and the second audio output.

11. A communication device as recited in claim 10 , further comprising:

a user interface coupled to the controller, wherein the controller causes a change in the positioning of the movable shutter in response to a user input to the user interface.

12. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , the communication device further comprising:

a controller coupled to the movable shutter, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the movable shutter to open the shuttered acoustic path when the first audio output is active.

13. A communication device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the controller is further adapted to cause the movable shutter to close the attenuated acoustic path simultaneously with opening the shuttered acoustic path.

14. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , the communication device further comprising:

a controller coupled to the movable shutter, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the movable shutter to close the shuttered acoustic path when the second audio output is active.

15. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , the communication device further comprising:

a controller coupled to the movable shutter, wherein the controller is adapted to:

sense a movement of the movable shutter from an open position to a closed position; and

change an audible operation of the communication device from an alert mode to a voice call mode in response to the movable shutter movement.

16. A communication device as recited in claim 1 , the communication device further comprising:

a controller coupled to the movable shutter, wherein the controller is adapted to:

sense a movement of the movable shutter from a closed position to an open position; and

change an audible operation of the communication device from a voice call mode to a stand-by mode in response to the movable shutter movement.