Abstract: A device with a microphone and a condensation collection apparatus to prevent migration of condensation to the microphone is provided. The device comprises a microphone; a board having an acoustic port therethrough, the microphone positioned to accept sound through the acoustic port; a moisture-resistant, acoustically transparent membrane over the acoustic port; an outer membrane that receives the sound for the microphone, the outer membrane being non-permeable to at least moisture; and a condensation collection apparatus between the outer membrane and the acoustically transparent membrane. The condensation collection apparatus comprises: an aperture through which the sound from the outer membrane passes; and one or more condensation collection features, at an outer-membrane facing side of the condensation collection apparatus, configured to: collect condensation that migrates from an inner side of the outer membrane; and prevent migration of the condensation, that is collected, through the aperture.

Abstract: A device with a microphone and a condensation collection apparatus to prevent migration of condensation to the microphone is provided. The device comprises a microphone; a board having an acoustic port therethrough, the microphone positioned to accept sound through the acoustic port; a moisture-resistant, acoustically transparent membrane over the acoustic port; an outer membrane that receives the sound for the microphone, the outer membrane being non-permeable to at least moisture; and a condensation collection apparatus between the outer membrane and the acoustically transparent membrane. The condensation collection apparatus comprises: an aperture through which the sound from the outer membrane passes; and one or more condensation collection features, at an outer-membrane facing side of the condensation collection apparatus, configured to: collect condensation that migrates from an inner side of the outer membrane; and prevent migration of the condensation, that is collected, through the aperture.

Abstract: A radio antenna interface for a portable radio is provided comprising a radio housing having a control top with a circular walled control top opening for receiving an antenna, the circular walled control top opening having an interior surface with a protruding bumper feature formed thereon. An antenna having has a base portion for insertion into the circular walled control top opening, the base portion has a ring feature forming a full circumference bump around the base portion. Once the antenna is assembled with the portable radio, the ring feature is located beneath and abuts with the protruding bumper to form the radio antenna interface. The radio antenna interface provides increased friction to minimize loosening of the antenna under extreme usage conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for verification of an environmental seal provided by an encapsulant coating of a bottom-ported MEMS microphone package. A purposeful acoustic leak is provided on an upper surface of a package housing (in the form of an additional acoustic port) and a sealing material is applied to an outer surface of the package housing. A properly applied encapsulant coating will completely seal the additional acoustic port on the upper surface of the package housing. However, the placement of the additional acoustic port on the upper surface of the package housing will have a significant, detectable effect on the frequency response of the microphone if it is not completely sealed by the encapsulant coating. Accordingly, the environmental seal provided by the encapsulant coating is verified by confirming, based on the acoustic frequency response testing, that the encapsulant coating has effectively sealed the additional acoustic port on the upper surface of the package housing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for verification of an environmental seal provided by an encapsulant coating of a bottom-ported MEMS microphone package. A purposeful acoustic leak is provided on an upper surface of a package housing (in the form of an additional acoustic port) and a sealing material is applied to an outer surface of the package housing. A properly applied encapsulant coating will completely seal the additional acoustic port on the upper surface of the package housing. However, the placement of the additional acoustic port on the upper surface of the package housing will have a significant, detectable effect on the frequency response of the microphone if it is not completely sealed by the encapsulant coating. Accordingly, the environmental seal provided by the encapsulant coating is verified by confirming, based on the acoustic frequency response testing, that the encapsulant coating has effectively sealed the additional acoustic port on the upper surface of the package housing.

Abstract: A microphone packaging assembly (100) provides a printed circuit board (pcb) (106) for coupling to a microphone device (102) having a bottom acoustic port (104). The pcb provides an acoustic port opening (108) which aligns with the bottom acoustic port (104) of the microphone device (102). A solder pad pattern (110) is disposed on the pcb (106). The solder pad pattern (110) is configured to provide both electrical connection (114) and an incomplete solder seal (116) having purposeful acoustic leak to the microphone device (102). A conformable coating (126) provides a seal to the purposeful acoustic leak. A single acoustic test can be performed to detect proper environmental protection and acoustic sealing of the packaged assembly (100).

Abstract: A control switch (110) is provided to facilitate a primary user interface for a control top surface (106) of a non-orthogonal control top (102) of a portable communication device (100). The control switch (110) comprises a thumb button actuator (112), a rotary lever (220) having a lever arm (222) extending therefrom, a transfer arm (202) coupled between the thumb button actuator and the lever arm of the rotary lever, and an electrical rotary switch (204) with a switch shaft (224) providing a primary axis of orthogonal rotation. Actuation of the thumb button actuator (112) results in linear, non-orthogonal motion of the transfer arm (202) being translated into rotary motion of the switch shaft (224) about the primary axis of orthogonal rotation (205).

Abstract: A control switch (110) is provided to facilitate a primary user interface for a control top surface (106) of a non-orthogonal control top (102) of a portable communication device (100). The control switch (110) comprises a thumb button actuator (112), a rotary lever (220) having a lever arm (222) extending therefrom, a transfer arm (202) coupled between the thumb button actuator and the lever arm of the rotary lever, and an electrical rotary switch (204) with a switch shaft (224) providing a primary axis of orthogonal rotation. Actuation of the thumb button actuator (112) results in linear, non-orthogonal motion of the transfer arm (202) being translated into rotary motion of the switch shaft (224) about the primary axis of orthogonal rotation (205).

Abstract: A microphone packaging assembly (100) provides a printed circuit board (pcb) (106) for coupling to a microphone device (102) having a bottom acoustic port (104). The pcb provides an acoustic port opening (108) which aligns with the bottom acoustic port (104) of the microphone device (102). A solder pad pattern (110) is disposed on the pcb (106). The solder pad pattern (110) is configured to provide both electrical connection (114) and an incomplete solder seal (116) having purposeful acoustic leak to the microphone device (102). A conformable coating (126) provides a seal to the purposeful acoustic leak. A single acoustic test can be performed to detect proper environmental protection and acoustic sealing of the packaged assembly (100).

Abstract: A breather valve and a portable communication device including a breather valve are provided. The breather valve includes a housing having a bottom portion having an opening and side portions, a rigid substrate located within the housing and a breathable membrane mounted to the rigid substrate. The breather valve further includes a gasket having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a preloaded compression element across the gasket and the rigid substrate. The gasket has an upper energy director located at the top surface and a lower energy director located at the bottom surface. The preloaded compression element provides at least a first compressive position providing a contact between the lower energy director and the bottom portion of the housing and a second compressive position in which air passes around the lower energy director and the upper energy director.

Abstract: A breather valve and a portable communication device including a breather valve are provided. The breather valve includes a housing having a bottom portion having an opening and side portions, a rigid substrate located within the housing and a breathable membrane mounted to the rigid substrate. The breather valve further includes a gasket having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a preloaded compression element across the gasket and the rigid substrate. The gasket has an upper energy director located at the top surface and a lower energy director located at the bottom surface. The preloaded compression element provides at least a first compressive position providing a contact between the lower energy director and the bottom portion of the housing and a second compressive position in which air passes around the lower energy director and the upper energy director.

Abstract: A removable cartridge for a portable communication device. The removable cartridge includes frame having a first surface, and an opposite second surface. The second surface is non-planar and is shaped to conform to a shape of a speaker cone in the portable communications device. The removable cartridge also includes a membrane coupled to the first surface of the frame. A portion of the membrane is suspended over an open gap defined by the frame.

Abstract: A breather valve and a portable communication device including a breather valve are provided. The breather valve includes a housing having a bottom portion having an opening and side portions, a rigid substrate located within the housing and a breathable membrane mounted to the rigid substrate. The breather valve further includes a gasket having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a preloaded compression element across the gasket and the rigid substrate. The gasket has an upper energy director located at the top surface and a lower energy director located at the bottom surface. The preloaded compression element provides at least a first compressive position providing a contact between the lower energy director and the bottom portion of the housing and a second compressive position in which air passes around the lower energy director and the upper energy director.

Abstract: A portable communications device includes a housing, a push button disposed along the housing, and an antenna radiating element disposed within the housing and spaced from the push button. The antenna radiating element is configured to be contacted and deflected by the push button to provide a tactile response when the push button is pressed.

Abstract: A portable communications device includes a housing, a push button disposed along the housing, and an antenna radiating element disposed within the housing and spaced from the push button. The antenna radiating element is configured to be contacted and deflected by the push button to provide a tactile response when the push button is pressed.

Abstract: A removable cartridge for a portable communication device. The removable cartridge includes frame having a first surface, and an opposite second surface. The second surface is non-planar and is shaped to conform to a shape of a speaker cone in the portable communications device. The removable cartridge also includes a membrane coupled to the first surface of the frame. A portion of the membrane is suspended over an open gap defined by the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for providing an acoustically-resistive air-permeable venting structure within a sealed microphone acoustic cavity. A microphone is mounted on a printed circuit board and positioned within a housing. A water-resistant membrane seals the microphone from an exterior of the housing, and a active acoustic cavity establishes an acoustical connection between the water-resistant membrane and the microphone. An acoustically-resistive air-permeable venting structure is formed in the body of the printed circuit board and connects to the active acoustic cavity either directly or via a separate vent path. The venting structure provides a viscous dampening effect by venting an active acoustic cavity of the electronic device to the rest of the enclosure sealed by the water-resistant membrane.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: A microphone porting and venting assembly (100) is formed of a remote support substrate (118) providing a (130) acoustically resistive element with dedicated venting cavities (132) along with an external baffle (220) providing acoustic channels (212, 214, 216) which further provide water drainage and external sound sampling points (222, 224, 226). The microphone porting and venting assembly (100) is well suited waterproof, noise cancelling microphone systems.