# US 12,604,138 B1 · Underwater communication using sensing fusion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,604,138 B1 - Document ID: US12604138B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/418,189 - Filed: 2024-01-19 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2024-01-19 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps; David W. Robison; Tyler S. Atura Bushnell; Christopher S. Larson; Rebecca J. Russell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12604138B1 ## CPC - H04R 1/44: Special adaptations for subaqueous use, e.g. for hydrophone - H04B 11/00: Transmission systems employing ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves - H04R 1/023: {Screens for loudspeakers} - H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles} - H04R 1/24: Structural combinations of separate transducers or of two parts of the same transducer and responsive respectively to two or more frequency ranges - H04R 7/04: Plane diaphragms - H04R 2201/023: Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Underwater communication using sensing fusion can include one or more electronic devices. The electronic device can include a housing defining an internal volume. The electronic device can include a speaker sealed to the housing and tuned for water use (e.g., to produce/detect audible and/or sonar frequency noise underwater). The speaker can include a diaphragm configured to resonate at one or more frequencies underwater. The electronic device can include a pressure compensator associated with the speaker to compensate for hydrostatic pressure acting on the diaphragm. The speaker can include a water permeable membrane to equalize pressure underwater within the speaker, while still maintaining a seal with the housing. The speaker can include multiple seals to prevent water ingress to the internal volume. The electronic device can include another speaker for land communication (e.g., to produce/detect audible noise on land). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable electronic device comprising: a housing defining an internal volume; a speaker sealed to the housing and configured to resonate a frequency underwater, the speaker comprising: a diaphragm; and a seal preventing water ingress to the internal volume; and a pressure compensator associated with the speaker to compensate for hydrostatic pressure acting on the diaphragm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the pressure compensator comprises active compensation coupled to the diaphragm to resist water pressure applied to the diaphragm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the active compensation comprises an electromagnet configured to provide a force resisting the water pressure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the pressure compensator comprises a water permeable membrane allowing water to flow across the diaphragm to equalize pressure across opposing sides of the diaphragm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the seal prevents water ingress from a wet side of the diaphragm to the internal volume. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a deformable member; and a transducer coupled to the deformable member to selectively vibrate the deformable member to generate noise. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the deformable member is a display of the electronic device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the speaker is configured to generate a sonar frequency to locate objects near the electronic device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the speaker is configured to detect signals emitted from another electronic device underwater. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the speaker is a first speaker; and a second speaker configured to propagate sound through air. ### Claim 11 A speaker transducer for a wearable electronic device, the speaker transducer comprising: a diaphragm configured to resonate a frequency underwater; and multiple seals configured to prevent water ingress to a device interior of the wearable electronic device; wherein the speaker transducer is configured to resist changes in water pressure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The speaker transducer of claim 11, further comprising a chassis, wherein the multiple seals comprise: a first seal configured to seal the chassis to a housing of the wearable electronic device; and a second seal configured to prevent water ingress from a wet side of the diaphragm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The speaker transducer of claim 11, wherein: the multiple seals comprise a first seal and a second seal; the diaphragm comprises the first seal; and the second seal is configured to seal a chassis of the speaker transducer to a housing of the wearable electronic device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The speaker transducer of claim 11, further comprising: wherein the diaphragm comprises a wet side and a dry side; and an active compensation coupled to the diaphragm to resist water pressure applied to the diaphragm, the active compensation positioned on the dry side to push towards the wet side. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The speaker transducer of claim 14, wherein the active compensation comprises an electromagnet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The speaker transducer of claim 11, wherein the diaphragm comprises a water permeable membrane allowing water to flow across the diaphragm to equalize pressure across opposing sides of the diaphragm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The speaker transducer of claim 16, wherein the water permeable membrane defines a flow rate across the opposing sides of the diaphragm, with the flow rate tailored based on the one or more frequencies. ### Claim 18 A speaker system for a wearable electronic device, the speaker system comprising: a first speaker configured to propagate sound through air; and a second speaker configured to resonate a frequency underwater, the second speaker comprising: a diaphragm; and a seal preventing water ingress to an interior of the electronic device; wherein the second speaker is configured to resist changes in water pressure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The speaker system of claim 18, wherein: the first speaker is configured to produce audible noise on land; and the second speaker is configured to produce audible and sonar frequency noise underwater. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The speaker system of claim 18, wherein the second speaker is configured to detect radiofrequency or sonar signals emitted from another electronic device underwater.