# US 9,439,000 B1 · Systems and methods for improved audio output in electronic devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,439,000 B1 - Document ID: US9439000B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/193,723 - Filed: 2014-02-28 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-28 - Assignees: Google Inc. - Applicants: Google Inc. - Inventors: Michael Daley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9439000B1 ## CPC - H04R 7/16: Mounting or tensioning of diaphragms or cones - H04R 1/2823: {Vents, i.e. ports, e.g. shape thereof or tuning thereof with damping material} - H04R 7/045: {using the distributed mode principle, i.e. whereby the acoustic radiation is emanated from uniformly distributed free bending wave vibration induced in a stiff panel and not from pistonic motion} - H04R 17/00: Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers (piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners {H10N30/00}) - H04R 1/2811: {for loudspeaker transducers} - H04R 7/18: at the periphery - H04R 9/06: Loudspeakers - H04R 17/005: {using a piezoelectric polymer} - H04R 31/006: {Interconnection of transducer parts (of diaphragm and outer suspension by moulding H04R31/003)} - 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) ## Abstract Embodiments are provided for devices for audio playback and configuring devices for audio playback. According to certain aspects, an electronic device is configured with an exterior casing that has a cutout area formed thereon. A vibrating panel is disposed within the cutout area and secured to the exterior casing such that the vibrating panel is substantially co-planar with the exterior casing. A transducer is disposed in proximity to the vibrating panel. When the transducer receives an audio signal, the transducer mechanically vibrates which causes the vibrating panel to actuate and produce audio output. The embodiments enable effective and efficient design and improve the user experience. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device for facilitating acoustic output, comprising: an exterior casing comprising at least a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, the first surface including a user interface; a vibrating panel disposed within a cutout area of the second surface of the exterior casing, wherein the vibrating panel, when disposed within the cutout area, is (i) substantially co-planar with the second surface of the exterior casing and (ii) secured to the second surface of the exterior casing via an attachment mechanism disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the vibrating panel; a transducer disposed within the exterior casing and proximate to the vibrating panel; and a power source configured to apply an electrical signal to the transducer to cause the vibrating panel to actuate and produce sound. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the exterior casing encloses an air volume, wherein at least a portion of an interior surface of the vibrating panel is exposed to the air volume. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the exterior casing comprises a port formed therethrough, wherein each of the port and the vibrating panel is exposed to an air volume within the exterior casing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the transducer is a piezoelectric transducer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the transducer is an electrodynamic transducer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a support component disposed between the transducer and an internal surface of the electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the transducer is supported by an internal component of the electronic device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises at least one set of tabs disposed along the perimeter of the vibrating panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a roll-surround suspension that enables excursion of the vibrating panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a generally compliant material. ### Claim 11 An apparatus adapted to facilitate acoustic output, comprising: an exterior casing having a cutout area formed therethrough, wherein the cutout area is located on a side of the exterior casing opposite from a display screen; a vibrating panel disposed within the cutout area so that, when the vibrating panel is disposed within the cutout area, (i) at least a portion of the vibrating panel is substantially co-planar with a portion of the exterior casing surrounding the cutout area, and (ii) the vibrating panel is secured to at least some of the portion of the exterior casing surrounding the cutout area via an attachment mechanism disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the vibrating panel; and a transducer disposed proximate to the vibrating panel, wherein the transducer is configured to vibrate in response to an applied electrical signal and cause the vibrating panel to actuate and produce sound. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the exterior casing encloses an air volume, wherein at least a portion of an interior surface of the vibrating panel is exposed to the air volume. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the exterior casing comprises a port formed therethrough, wherein each of the port and at least the portion of the interior surface of the vibrating panel is exposed to the air volume. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the perimeter of the vibrating panel extends underneath the portion of the exterior casing surrounding the cutout area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the attachment mechanism is a gasket that is disposed between an upper surface of the perimeter of the vibrating panel and an interior surface of the portion of the exterior casing surrounding the cutout area. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the perimeter of the vibrating panel extends above the portion of the exterior casing surrounding the cutout area. ### Claim 17 A method of configuring an electronic device for acoustic audio output, the method comprising: forming a cutout area in at least a portion of an exterior casing of the electronic device, wherein the portion of the exterior casing is opposite from a user interface of the electronic device; positioning a vibrating panel within the cutout area so that when the vibrating panel is positioned within the cutout area, the vibrating panel is substantially co-planar with at least the portion of the exterior casing; securing the vibrating panel (i) to at least the portion of the exterior casing, and (ii) within the cutout area via an attachment mechanism disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the vibrating panel; and disposing a transducer within the exterior casing and proximate to the vibrating panel, wherein the transducer is configured to vibrate in response to an electrical signal and cause the vibrating panel to actuate and produce sound. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: forming a port through the exterior casing, wherein each of the port and the vibrating panel is exposed to an air volume within the exterior casing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: disposing a support component between the transducer and an internal surface of the electronic device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein securing the vibrating panel (i) to at least the portion of the exterior casing and (ii) within the cutout area via the attachment mechanism comprises: disposing a gasket along a perimeter of the vibrating panel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein securing the vibrating panel (i) to at least the portion of the exterior casing and (ii) within the cutout area via the attachment mechanism comprises: forming a roll-surround suspension around the perimeter of the vibrating panel, wherein the roll-surround suspension enables excursion of the vibrating panel.