Abstract: A desktop computer which has a driver mounted in the back wall of the chassis. The chassis is acoustically a very leaky box, so the driver is designed as if it were a free-space driver (using large cone area and long throw). In one class of embodiments, a single driver is used, and is centered in the back of the box so that there is an equal left-right split, although not true stereo. The front of the box may be made more acoustically leaky to move the acoustic image forward. The treatment of the box as being acoustically leaky means that the airflow required for thermal management has not been restricted. The use of a long-throw driver permits the volume-velocity of the driver to be increased. Treatment of the box as very leaky also means that no user changes or custom configurations will significantly disturb the expected acoustic environment. An audio system incorporating a free-space driver with an equalizer designed for use with a free-space driver further improves acoustic quality.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having a rigid chassis. The portable electronic device utilizes a reinforcement structure within the chassis. The structure is designed for application in a space constrained area by incorporating one or more speaker mounts and speakers for audio output.

Abstract: Custom designed polar patterns for a microphone of a portable computer are achieved. A custom designed polar pattern permits a microphone in a portable computer to suppress sources of spatially-dependent noise internal and external to a portable computer system. A custom designed polar pattern is generated by specially configuring the boot of a microphone by varying the hole sizes of the boot and/or varying location of the microphone element in the boot. In addition, the shape of a particular polar pattern may be adjusted by inserting acoustic absorption material into the boot, forming enclosed walls into the boot, or rotating the top shell of the portable computer which contains the microphone relative to the bottom shell of the portable computer. Thus, a directional response of a microphone may be form-fitted to a particular portable computer configuration.

Abstract: A stereo speaker system for portable computers which maximizes spatial impression by using rearward-firing speakers, mounted in the back of the display, in combination with forward-firing speakers mounted on the chassis or in the front side of the display.

Abstract: A portable computer system having a loudspeaker enclosure defined by a printed circuit board, a keyboard section cover and a gasket. A second enclosure is defined by an existing frame, the keyboard section cover and a second gasket. Advantageously, a loudspeaker mounting system provides positive urging of the speaker with the keyboard section cover and all other openings, such as the grill attachment apertures and any other openings, are sealed to achieve the total enclosure concept for a speaker system for a portable computer.

Abstract: A portable computer docking station has a molded plastic housing within the interior of which are a ported speaker structure operative at low, mid and high frequencies, and a nonported speaker structure operative only at mid-to-high frequencies. The ported speaker structure has a ported enclosure section formed integrally with an exterior wall portion of the housing and having an open side. A first speaker is mounted on a lid member at an opening therein, with the lid member being secured to the ported enclosure section over the open side thereof with a seal member being sandwiched between the lid member and the enclosure section, and a sound absorbing structure being disposed within the enclosure section under the first speaker. The nonported speaker structure includes a second speaker supported on a second wall portion of the housing.

Abstract: A portable computer system including sealed acoustic suspension speaker enclosures which are each molded of a high density-low-density polymer combination, so that the low-density polymer can provide good sealing to adjacent surfaces. Preferably, neither speaker enclosure is sealed as a free standing unit, but the acoustic seal is completed only when the speaker enclosure is in place inside the portable computer.

Abstract: A portable computer system having a loudspeaker enclosure defined by a printed circuit board, a keyboard section cover and a gasket. A second enclosure is defined by an existing frame, the keyboard section cover and a second gasket. Advantageously, a loudspeaker mounting system provides positive urging of the speaker with the keyboard section cover and all other openings, such as the grill attachment apertures and any other openings, are sealed to achieve the total enclosure concept for a speaker system for a portable computer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an orifice plate for use with an ink jet printhead assembly and a method for fabricating that orifice plate and a printhead assembly incorporating the orifice plate and a method for fabricating that printhead. The orifice plate has either a projection extending outwardly from a rear side surface of the orifice plate that is configured to be closely received by a corresponding alignment cavity in the front end body portion of the printhead or an alignment cavity formed in the rear side surface of the orifice plate that is configured to closely receive a projection extending outwardly from the front end portion of the printhead body. An ultraviolet light curable adhesive may be used to adhesively intersecure and seal the orifice plate on the printhead body.