DIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE INTEGRATED INTO DEVICE CASE

Abstract

A case for a portable electronic device includes an enclosed, elongated space extending within the case from an opening in an interior surface of the case. The opening corresponds to the location of a microphone in the device. The enclosed space is tapered to an increasingly smaller cross-section as it extends away from the opening. A first edge of the enclosed space aligns along most of its length with an exterior surface of the case. A screen covers a second opening in the exterior surface of the case along the first edge of the elongated space and provides an acoustic resistance between the elongated space and air outside the case through the second opening. A gasket located at the first opening couples the elongated space to the microphone of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A case for use with a portable electronic device having a microphone coupled to space outside the electronic device through a device opening, the case comprising: a first enclosed, elongated space extending within the case from a first case opening in an interior surface of the case along a first side of the case, the first case opening corresponding to the location of the device opening when the electronic device is located in the case, the first enclosed, elongated space being tapered to an increasingly smaller cross-section as it extends away from the first case opening, and a first edge of the first elongated space aligning along most of its length with an exterior surface of the case; a second case opening in the exterior surface of the case along the first edge of the first elongated space; a screen covering the second case opening along the length of the first elongated space, the screen providing an acoustic resistance between the first elongated space and air outside the case through the second case opening; a gasket located at the first case opening for coupling the first elongated space to the microphone of the electronic device through the device opening; a second enclosed, elongated space extending within the case, the second enclosed, elongated space being tapered to an increasingly smaller cross-section as it extends away from a first end of the second enclosed, elongated space, the total length of the second elongated space being the same as the total length of the first elongated space, the second enclosed, elongated space being on a second side of the case opposite the first side of the case, and a first edge of the second elongated space aligning along most of its length with the second exterior surface of the case; a fourth case opening in the second exterior surface of the case along the first edge of the second elongated space; and a second screen covering the fourth case opening along the length of the second elongated space, the second screen providing an acoustic resistance between the second elongated space and air outside the case through the fourth case opening.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the first and second enclosed, elongated spaces and the screens sub-assemblies separate from the rest of the case.

3. The case of claim 1, wherein the first and second enclosed, elongated spaces comprise voids within the materials constituting the case.

4. The case of claim 1, wherein the first and second enclosed, elongated spaces extend along a back side of the case, and the screens are located in the back side of the case.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the first and second enclosed, elongated spaces extends along first and second side edges of the case.

6. The case of claim 5, wherein the screens are located in the outer side edges of the case.

7. The case of claim 5, wherein the screens are located in the back side of the case along the side edges.

8. The case of claim 1, further comprising a door that opens to expose the microphone to air outside the case via the device opening, bypassing the first and second enclosed, elongated spaces.

9. The case of claim 8, further comprising a mechanical switch that opens and closes the door.

10. The case of claim 8, further comprising a second screen covering the opening created when the door is open.

11. (canceled)

12. The case of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the second enclosed, elongated space comprises a third case opening in the interior surface of the case, the third case opening corresponding to a location of a second device opening associated with a second microphone when the electronic device is located in the case, and the case further comprises: a second gasket located at the third case opening for coupling the second elongated space to the second microphone of the electronic device through the second device opening.

13. The case of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the second, elongated space comprises the first case opening, such that both the first and the second enclosed, elongated spaces provide sound to the microphone through the device opening.

14-20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exploded view of an electronic device, a case for the device, and a microphone enclosure for use with the device.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows the microphone enclosure and electronic device of FIGS. 1 and 2 without the case.

[0015] FIGS. 4 and 5 show alternative embodiments of the case and microphone enclosure, including an optional second microphone enclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the case and microphone enclosure, including a door.

[0017] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the case and microphone enclosure, including a microphone in the case.

DESCRIPTION

[0018] A highly-directional microphone module may be provided without significant added cost or complexity by adapting the directional loudspeaker enclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 8,351,630 for use with a smart phone's built-in microphone, by incorporating it into a case for the smart phone, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exploded view with the phone and the microphone enclosure both removed from the case, while FIG. 3 shows the microphone enclosure assembled to the phone with the case hidden for clarity. In some examples, the closure is not actually a separate part from the case, but is simply an empty space within the material of the case.

[0019] The enclosure 100 includes an elongated tube 102 that is located or embedded in the back of the phone case 101, with a resistive screen 104 along its length exposed on the back of the case. The tube turns (106) at the bottom to enclose the opening 108 for the built-in voice microphone of the smart phone 110. A gasket 112 seals the tube to the microphone opening. The tube is tapered within the case, with an increasingly smaller cross-section along its length extending away from the microphone. If the enclosure 100 is a separate part from the case 101, it is exposed through an opening 114 in the back of the case 101. Placed on a table in front of the user, the slot can be aimed at another person or any other localized sound source. This configuration provides a similar effect to the separate microphone array modules found in the market today, but without the added complexity of carrying and deploying an additional device, and without the social stigma of having to use such a device (assuming it is socially acceptable to place one's phone on the table during a conversation). Moreover, because the enclosure is acoustically passive, relying on the phone's existing microphone, existing connection to the hearing assistance device (typically a wireless between the microphone array and the hearing assistance device in other products), and processing capabilities, it can be extremely inexpensive to manufacture.

[0020] Another example is shown in FIG. 4, fully assembled, with the enclosure 202 along the side of the case 200, with the screen 204 on the edge 206. This may provide for a thinner profile, at the expense of making the case slightly wider. If the phone has a pair of microphones at the bottom, an enclosure may be provided on each side (optional enclosure 208), enhancing a binaural or stereo microphone effect provided by the pair of microphones. In another example, shown in FIG. 5, the two enclosures 210, 212 are coupled to a single microphone, providing even greater directivity, similarly to the array of microphones proposed in the 2015-0230026 application. That is, sound arriving from the side is detected and routed to the microphone first by the near-side enclosure, and then by the far-side enclosure. For some frequencies, the delay causes the two signals to cancel. Sound arriving on-axis is detected at the same time on both sides, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. If, as shown, the microphone is not centered, the enclosure on the side closer to the microphone may include some additional serpentine curves 214 to match its total length to the distance of the far enclosure from the microphone.

[0021] In another example, shown in FIG. 6, a mechanical switch 302 opens a door 304 exposing the smartphone's microphone opening 108 so that it can directly pick up the user's voice when used in a conventional fashion as a phone handset. An optional grille 306 protects the microphone opening. In some examples, the switch 302 is not provided, and the user may simply move the door 304 directly. This feature may not be necessary, depending on the quality of the near-field signal pickup when the case from the previous examples is used without directly exposing the microphone opening 108.

[0022] In another example, shown in FIG. 7, a microphone 608 is provided as part of the case 600, coupled to the enclosure 602. This may eliminate the bend 106 from the example of FIG. 1, allowing other freedoms in case design, and improving on the signal quality over the microphone built into the smart phone. A microphone could also be provided in the example of FIGS. 1-3, with the enclosure on the back of the case. The microphone 608 may be electrically connected to the smartphone through a headphone plug 612 or a data connector 612, similarly to how external battery cases connect to smartphone charging ports. This would allow the case to continue to take advantage of the phone for wireless and processing capabilities, preserving some of the cost and complexity advantages of the earlier examples while providing even higher voice pickup quality. Alternatively, if the hearing assistance device uses a wireless technology not supported by the phone, the case may include a compatible transceiver and not only connect the microphone to the hearing assistance device, but also connect the phone to the hearing assistance device. Providing microphones with the case can also allow the two-sided binaural or stereo case from FIG. 4 to be used with phones that otherwise have only one microphone.

[0023] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.