Flip-Type Communication Device with a Single Output Audio Transducer

1 . A communication device capable of operating in a privacy mode and a speakerphone mode, the communication device comprising:

a base housing having an audio output;

an unattenuated acoustic path having an input end coupled to an audio transducer and an output end coupled to the audio output;

an auxiliary housing, coupled to the base housing, having an earpiece region;

an attenuated acoustic path having an input end coupled to the output end of the unattenuated acoustic path and an output end coupled to the earpiece region during the privacy mode and having the input end uncoupled from the output end of the unattenuated acoustic path during the speakerphone mode.

2 . A communication device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the attenuated acoustic path includes one or more of a group comprising: mass loading, viscous losses, and acoustic resistive damping materials.

3 . A communication device as recited in claim 2 , wherein the attenuated acoustic path comprises:

a passive porting network.

4 . A communication device comprising:

a base housing including:

an audio transducer,

an audio output, and

an acoustic path coupled between the audio transducer and the audio output; and

an auxiliary housing, rotatably coupled to the base housing, including:

an earpiece region, and

an attenuated audio path coupled to the earpiece region,

wherein the attenuated audio path is coupled to the audio output during a privacy mode and wherein the attenuated audio path is not coupled to the audio output during a speakerphone mode.

5 . A communication device as recited in claim 4 , wherein the base housing is coupled to the auxiliary housing with one or more elements chosen from a group comprising: a ball hinge, and a cylindrical hinge.

6 . The communication device as recited in claim 4 , further comprising:

a switch, located within the base housing, adapted to depress when the auxiliary housing rotates to an open position.