IP Library Granted Patent US 8,094,856
Granted Patent B2
US 8,094,856 · App. 12/464,727 · Granted Jan 10, 2012

Microphone coupler for a communication device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,094,856
App. No.
12/464,727
Granted
Jan 10, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a microphone coupler and coupler system for a communication device. The system comprises: a printed circuit board; a microphone having a port facing towards the printed circuit board and aligned with an opening through the printed circuit board; and a microphone coupler for the microphone. The coupler comprises: a conduit having an internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximal end, a first opening in the distal end connecting to the internal channel and a second opening in the proximal end connecting to the internal channel. In the system, the proximal end of the coupler is locatable about the opening of the printed circuit board to have the second opening mated to the opening of the printed circuit board; and the distal end of the coupler extends towards an end of the printed circuit board.

Claims (31)

1. A microphone coupler system for a communication device, said system comprising:

a printed circuit board;

a microphone having a port facing towards said printed circuit board and aligned with an opening through said printed circuit board; and

a microphone coupler for said microphone, said coupler comprising:

a conduit having an internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximal end, a first opening in said distal end connecting to said internal channel and a second opening in said proximal end connecting to said internal channel, said conduit being attachable to said printed circuit board through at least one of a friction fit, a fixative or a weld,

wherein

said proximal end of said coupler is locatable about said opening of said printed circuit board to have said second opening mated to said opening of said printed circuit board; and

said distal end of said coupler extends towards an end of said printed circuit board.

2. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said microphone is located on a first side of said printed circuit board;

said coupler is located on a second side of said printed circuit board, said second side opposing said first side of said printed circuit board; and

said coupler connects said opening of said printed circuit board with said microphone opening.

3. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said microphone has a microphone port, located on a surface mount side of said microphone, to receive audio signals.

4. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a housing to enclose said printed circuit board and said microphone and wherein said distal end of said coupler extends towards an opening in said housing.

5. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising an antenna located at least in part within said housing.

6. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said antenna is located within said housing in a bottom portion of said housing.

7. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) shield can for isolating said microphone from interference caused from signals associated with said antenna.

8. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising keypad devices located on a top side of said printed circuit board.

9. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said conduit is oblong in shape.

10. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said conduit has a length of between approximately 10 and 15 mm.

11. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first opening has a cross-sectional area of approximately 4 mm 2 .

12. The microphone coupler system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first opening has a cross-sectional dimensions of approximately 1 mm×3 mm.

13. A microphone coupler for a communication device, said communication device comprising a printed circuit board and a microphone mounted on said printed circuit board, said microphone being mounted on a first side of said printed circuit board, said microphone having a port facing towards said printed circuit board and aligned with an opening through said printed circuit board; said coupler comprising:

a conduit having an internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximal end, a first opening in said distal end connecting to said internal channel and a second opening in said proximal end connecting to said internal channel, said conduit being attachable to said printed circuit board through at least one of a friction fit, a fixative or a weld,

wherein

said proximal end is located about said opening of said printed circuit board and said second opening is mated to said opening of said printed circuit board; and

said distal end extends towards an end of said printed circuit board.

14. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said conduit is oblong in shape.

15. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said conduit has a length of between approximately 10 and 15 mm.

16. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said first opening has a cross-sectional area being approximately 4 mm 2 .

17. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said first opening has a cross-sectional dimensions of approximately 1 mm×3 mm.

Assignments (7)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDED PATENT NUMBER TO REMOVE PATENT NO. 8,873,407 AT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 64066 FRAME 1. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE DATE MARCH 20, 2023. Recorded Feb 2, 2026
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 074921/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE COVER SHEET AT PAGE 50 TO REMOVE 12817157 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 063471 FRAME 0474. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 064806/0669 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT 12817157 APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064015 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 5, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064807/0001 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064066/0001 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064015/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 063471/0474 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 10, 2014
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033958/0550 →