# US 8,571,205 B2 · Dual-purpose hardware aperture

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- Number: US 8,571,205 B2
- Document ID: US8571205B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/230,709
- Filed: 2011-09-12
- Published: 2012-01-05
- Granted: 2013-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2008-01-18
- Assignees: Apple Inc.
- Applicants: Michael N. Rosenblatt; Michael M. Lee; Justin L. Gregg
- Inventors: Michael N. Rosenblatt; Michael M. Lee; Justin L. Gregg
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8571205B2

## CPC

- H04M 1/035: {Improving the acoustic characteristics by means of constructional features of the housing, e.g. ribs, walls, resonating chambers or cavities}
- H05K 5/0217: {Mechanical details of casings (covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03)}
- H04M 1/0264: {for a camera module assembly}
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system which supports a dual-purpose aperture for an electronic device. This system includes a first component configured to perform an acoustic function through the aperture and a second component configured to perform a non-acoustic function through the aperture.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrical connector for an electronic device, comprising:
an aperture formed in a body of the electronic device, wherein the aperture is formed on only one surface of the electronic device and the aperture is configured to mate the electrical connector with an electrical component; and
an acoustic transducer within the electronic device configured to operate through the aperture.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the acoustic transducer is one of a microphone and a speaker.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the speaker comprises a piezoelectric speaker.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The electrical connector of claim 3, further comprising:
a connector tongue,
wherein the piezoelectric speaker is positioned parallel to the connector tongue.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The electronic connector of claim 4, wherein the piezoelectric speaker is positioned in the overhang.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the piezoelectric speaker is one of a front-firing speaker and a side-firing speaker.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein the electrical connector is implemented as a surface-mounted component.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The electrical connector of claim 7, wherein the surface-mounted component includes an overhang to make space for additional components in the electronic device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical component is one of a complementary connector, a port, and a dock.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein the port comprises a 30-pin port.