Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a housing, which may be a circular cylinder or may have a rectangular cross-section. Two permanent magnets that closely fit the inside of the housing are joined by a linkage having a high magnetic permeability to form a piston that is inserted into the housing. Two pole coils surround the housing with each coil adjacent one of the permanent magnets. The coils are arranged to cause the piston to oscillate within the housing and emit sound waves when coupled to an electrical signal. One end of the housing may be closed except for a barometric leak. A third permanent magnet or a spring may provide a restoring force that centers the piston between the coils when the piston is not subjected to other forces. One of the permanent magnets on the piston may include a vent passage.

Abstract: Ultrasonic ranging for mobile devices is disclosed. A mobile device using ultrasonic ranging can include an ultrasound transmitter capable of emitting an ultrasound signal for detection by a proximate device and an ultrasound receiver capable of receiving an ultrasound signal from the proximate device. The mobile device can then use a time lapse associated with one or both of these ultrasound signals to find a range to the proximate device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer case having a substantially planar face in which a microphone associated acoustic port is formed. The device also has a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone positioned within the outer case, the MEMS microphone having a diaphragm facing the microphone associated acoustic port. An acoustic mesh is positioned between the front face of the outer case and the diaphragm, the acoustic mesh having a non-linear acoustic resistance so as to minimize an effect of an incoming air burst on the diaphragm. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having an outer case having a substantially planar face in which a microphone associated acoustic port is formed. The device also has a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone positioned within the outer case, the MEMS microphone having a diaphragm facing the microphone associated acoustic port. An acoustic mesh is positioned between the front face of the outer case and the diaphragm, the acoustic mesh having a non-linear acoustic resistance so as to minimize an effect of an incoming air burst on the diaphragm. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion acoustically coupled to a tube portion extending from the body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear canal of a wearer. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion for acoustically coupling the driver to the tube portion. The acoustic tuning member defines a back volume chamber of the driver and includes an acoustic output port for outputting sound from the back volume chamber of the driver to the tube portion to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone.

Abstract: An earphone having an earphone housing including a tip portion dimensioned to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer, a body portion extending outward from the tip portion, and a tube portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a face portion that faces a pinna region of the ear when the tip portion is inserted into the ear canal. A primary output opening, that outputs sound from a driver in the housing to the ear canal, is formed in the tip portion. A secondary output opening, that outputs air from the ear canal to the surrounding environment, is formed in the face portion. The primary output opening and the secondary output opening are horizontally aligned when the tube portion is positioned vertically downward and an angle formed between the primary output opening, the tube portion and the secondary output opening is less than 90 degrees.