Integrated vibrating and sound producing device

A compact electromagnetic converter device comprising:

• field generation means for producing a magnetic field, said field generation means comprising a magnetic circuit including a permanent magnet, a pole piece, and a single coil for receiving predetermined low frequency signals and high frequency signals from a signal source and generating a field output in response to said low frequency signals and high frequency signals;
• low frequency responsive means for producing a tactilely transmitted vibration, comprising compliant means mounted in association with said field generation means and a mass rigidly attached to said compliant means, such that said mass transmits tactilely perceptible vibrations in response to said magnetic field produced by said predetermined low frequency signals;
• high frequency responsive means for producing an audible indication comprising diaphragm means mounted in association with said field generation means, said diaphragm means moving in response to said magnetic field produced by said high frequency signals to produce an audible sound;
• wherein said mass includes said pole piece and said pole piece is anchored to said compliant means and movable therewith with respect to said coil.

A compact, dual mode signaling device for a portable pager, comprising:

• a single field generation means comprising a magnetic circuit including a permanent magnet, a pole piece, and a single coil, for receiving predetermined low frequency signals and high frequency signals specifying one of first and second operating modes of the device, and for producing a localized magnetic field in response to said signals;
• quiet signalling means for producing a tactilely transmitted vibration in at least said first operating mode, said quiet signalling means including a spring member with a mass rigidly attached thereto so that the mass is vibrated by said magnetic field of said field generation means when said low frequency signals are received;
• and
• audible signalling means for producing an audible indication in said second operating mode, said audible signalling means having a diaphragm mounted to flex with respect to the field generation means and having a different compliance from the spring member, said mass moving separately from said spring member in response to said magnetic field of said field generation means when said high frequency signals are received.

A compact, dual mode signalling device for a portable pager, comprising:

• a single field generation means including a magnetic circuit, said magnetic circuit including a permanent magnet, a pole piece, and a single coil for receiving low frequency signals in a predetermined frequency range and high frequency signals with a predetermined frequency range higher than said range of said low frequency signals, said high frequency signals and low frequency signals specifying one of first and second operating modes of the device, and for producing a localized magnetic field in response to said signals;
• quiet signalling means mounted proximate to said field generation means and having a mass comprising a portion of said magnetic circuit mounted on a spring member for producing a tactilely transmitted vibration for silent mode pager message signalling within said predetermined low frequency range in at least said first operating mode, said mass vibrated by said magnetic field of said field generation means when said low frequency signals are received;
• audible signaling means mounted proximate to said field generation means for producing an audible buzzer indication for audible mode pager signalling including a tone within said predetermined high frequency range in said second operating mode, said audible signalling means comprising a speaker diaphragm moving separately from said mass and said spring member and directly actuated by said magnetic field of said field generation means when said high frequency signals are received;
• a case for mounting said field generation means, said quiet signalling means, and said audible signalling means;
• and
• means for operably installing said case in a pager assembly to receive and be activated by said low frequency signals and said high frequency signals.