IP Library Granted Patent US 8,005,207
Granted Patent B2
US 8,005,207 · App. 12/472,915 · Granted Aug 23, 2011

Microphone coupler system for a communication device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,005,207
App. No.
12/472,915
Granted
Aug 23, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides a microphone coupler system for a communication device. The coupler system comprises: a microphone; a printed circuit board (PCB) to connect to the microphone; a platform having an aperture; a boot assembly to enclose the microphone and to direct acoustic signals to the microphone; and an acoustic channel formed in part by the boot assembly and a bottom surface of the platform when the boot assembly is mounted over the microphone and the platform is mounted over the boot assembly. The boot assembly has a coupling section shaped to hold the microphone with the aperture facing upward from the PCB and a lateral rib extending around its exterior to mate with an interior surface of the platform.

Claims (23)

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

a microphone;

a printed circuit board (PCB) to connect to said microphone;

a platform having an aperture;

a boot assembly to enclose said microphone and to direct acoustic signals to said microphone, said boot assembly having a coupling section shaped to hold said microphone with said aperture facing upward from said PCB and a lateral rib extending around its exterior to mate with an interior surface of said platform; and

an acoustic channel formed in part by said boot assembly and a bottom surface of said platform when said boot assembly is mounted over said microphone and said platform is mounted over said boot assembly.

2. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a housing to enclose said PCB, said microphone, said platform and said boot assembly, said housing providing an opening to access said microphone,

wherein a second part of said acoustic channel is formed by said boot assembly and a bottom surface of said platform when said housing is assembled to enclose said PCB.

3. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein:

a third part of said acoustic channel connects to a bottom side of said aperture; and

said acoustic channel also comprises a gasket having an internal conduit, said gasket mounted at one end to a top side of said aperture and at another end to said opening.

4. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said platform further comprises a frame shaped to hold said boot assembly underneath said platform.

5. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said opening in said housing is located in a lower end of said housing.

6. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said microphone is mounted on said PCB with an aperture of said microphone facing upward from said PCB.

7. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said boot assembly further comprises:

a beam extending outwardly from said coupling section; and

a wall extending above a perimeter of said beam, forming said acoustic channel within said wall and above said beam and with an air gap above said aperture of said microphone.

8. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said acoustic channel forms a first 90 degree turn from said microphone and a second 90 degree turn to said aperture in said platform.

9. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein an acoustic mesh is provided in said acoustic channel.

10. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein digital signal processing is provided to adjust signals generated by said microphone to accommodate for acoustic characteristics of said acoustic channel.

11. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a keypad is mounted on a top surface of said platform.

12. The microphone coupler system for a communication device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an antenna located in a lower end of said housing.

Assignments (4)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064269/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064104/0103 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 10, 2014
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033958/0550 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2009
From: HAWKER, LARRY, MR.; MANKARUSE, GEORGE, MR.; INFANTI, JAMES, MR.
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 022740/0263 →