IP Library Granted Patent US 8,548,185
Granted Patent B2
US 8,548,185 · App. 13/324,511 · Granted Oct 1, 2013

Microphone coupler for a communication device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,548,185
App. No.
13/324,511
Granted
Oct 1, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a microphone coupler and coupler system for a communication device. The microphone 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, the conduit being attachable to a printed circuit board of the communication device over an opening in the printed circuit board with the second opening mating to the opening and with the distal end of the coupler extending towards an end of the printed circuit board. The coupler has a microphone having a port that is mounted on the printed circuit board and the port is aligned with the opening in the printed circuit board.

Claims (21)

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

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, the conduit being attachable to a printed circuit board of the communication device over an opening in the printed circuit board with the second opening mating to the opening in the printed circuit board and with the distal end of the coupler extending towards an end of the printed circuit board,

wherein

a microphone having a port is mounted on the printed circuit board and the port is aligned with the opening in the printed circuit board.

2. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conduit is attached to the printed circuit board through at least one of a friction fit, a fixative or a weld.

3. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conduit is oblong in shape.

4. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the internal channel is bounded in part by the printed circuit board.

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

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

7. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first opening has cross-sectional dimensions of approximately 1 mm×3 mm.

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

the microphone is mounted to an opposing side of the printed circuit board to the conduit; and

the coupler is connected by the opening of the printed circuit board to the microphone opening.

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

the communication device further comprises a housing to enclose the printed circuit board and the microphone; and

the distal end of the coupler extends towards an opening in the housing.

10. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the internal channel is bounded in part by the housing.

11. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the communication device further comprises an antenna located at least in part within the housing.

12. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the antenna is located within the housing in a bottom portion of the housing.

13. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the communication device further comprises a radio frequency (RF) shield can for isolating the microphone from interference caused from signals associated with the antenna.

14. The microphone coupler as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the communication device further comprises keypad devices located on a top side of the printed circuit board.

Assignments (8)
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 Feb 18, 2014
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 032275/0698 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 13, 2011
From: HAWKER, LARRY, MR.; RASHISH, ILAN, MR.; PHILLIPS, ROBERT, MR.; LOWLES, ROBERT, MR.
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 027372/0048 →