Audio output system for a wirelessly locatable tag

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11857063-B2
Application number	US-202117478364-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 17, 2021
Priority date	Apr 17, 2019
Publication date	Jan 2, 2024
Grant date	Jan 2, 2024

Abstract

A wirelessly locatable tag may include a first housing member defining a first exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag and an interior surface opposite the first exterior surface. The wirelessly locatable tag may further include a second housing member defining a second exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag a first antenna configured transmit the wireless signal using a first wireless protocol, a second antenna configured to communicate using a second wireless protocol different than the first wireless protocol, and an audio system. The audio system may include a magnet assembly configured to produce a magnetic field and a coil positioned within the magnetic field and coupled to the interior surface of the first housing member, the coil configured to interact with the magnetic field to impart a force on the first housing member, thereby moving a portion of the first housing member to produce an audible output.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wirelessly locatable tag configured to transmit a wireless signal to an electronic device used for a localization of the wirelessly locatable tag by the electronic device, comprising:
a first housing member defining:
a first exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag; and
an interior surface opposite the first exterior surface;

a second housing member defining a second exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag;
a first antenna configured transmit the wireless signal using a first wireless protocol;
a second antenna configured to communicate using a second wireless protocol different than the first wireless protocol; and
an audio system comprising:
a magnet assembly configured to produce a magnetic field; and
a coil positioned within the magnetic field and coupled to the interior surface of the first housing member, the coil configured to interact with the magnetic field to impart a force on the first housing member, thereby moving a portion of the first housing member to produce an audible output.

2. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 1 , wherein:
the portion of the first housing member is configured to deflect in response to an input force applied to the portion of the first housing member, thereby causing the coil to move within the magnetic field to induce an electrical current in the coil; and
the wirelessly locatable tag is configured to:
detect the electrical current; and
change a mode of operation of the wirelessly locatable tag in response to detecting the electrical current.

3. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 2 , wherein changing the mode of operation of the wirelessly locatable tag comprises changing a frequency with which a wireless beacon signal is transmitted by the wirelessly locatable tag.

4. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 2 , further comprising a travel limiting member within the wirelessly locatable tag and set apart from the first housing member by a gap of about 100 microns to about 500 microns, the travel limiting member configured to limit the deflection of the first housing member in response to the input force.

5. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 1 , wherein:
the first housing member comprises:
a peripheral member defining:
a peripheral wall; and
a top wall defining an opening;

a central member at least partially within the opening; and
a compliant member flexibly coupling the central member to the peripheral member and configured to allow the central member to move relative to the peripheral member.

6. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 5 , wherein the top wall, the central member, and the compliant member each define a portion of the first exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag.

7. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 1 , wherein the coil interacts with the magnetic field when a first current is passed through the coil.

8. A wirelessly locatable device configured to send a wireless beacon signal to an electronic device to facilitate localization of the wirelessly locatable device by the electronic device, comprising:
an enclosure comprising:
a first housing member defining a top exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable device; and
a second housing member removably coupled to the first housing member and defining at least a portion of a bottom exterior surface of the enclosure;

an antenna configured to transmit the wireless beacon signal to the electronic device and receive a locating signal from the electronic device; and
an audio system configured to produce an audible output in response to receiving the locating signal from the electronic device, the audio system comprising:
a magnet assembly configured to produce a magnetic field; and
a coil positioned within the magnetic field and coupled to the first housing member, the coil configured to interact with the magnetic field to impart a force on the first housing member, thereby moving at least a portion of the first housing member to produce the audible output.

9. The wirelessly locatable device of claim 8 , wherein:
the audible output has a first frequency; and
the audio system is configured to produce a tactile output in response to receiving the locating signal, the tactile output having a second frequency different from the first frequency.

10. The wirelessly locatable device of claim 9 , wherein:
the first frequency is between about 1000 Hz and about 4000 Hz; and
the second frequency is between about 100 Hz and about 500 Hz.

11. The wirelessly locatable device of claim 8 , wherein the magnet assembly comprises:
a metal yoke defining a cavity;
a magnet at least partially within the cavity; and
a metal top plate covering the magnet opposite the metal yoke.

12. The wirelessly locatable device of claim 11 , wherein a distance between the metal top plate and the top exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable device is between about 1.0 mm and about 2.0 mm.

13. The wirelessly locatable device of claim 8 , wherein:
the coil comprises a plurality of turns of a conductive wire at least partially embedded in a matrix material; and
the coil is attached to an interior surface of the first housing member.

14. The wirelessly locatable device of claim 8 , wherein:
the first housing member comprises a top wall defining:
at least a portion of the top exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable device; and
an interior surface opposite the top exterior surface;

the coil is attached to a coil region of the interior surface; and
the top wall has a thickness, at the coil region, between about 300 microns and about 500 microns.

15. A wirelessly locatable tag configured to transmit a wireless signal to an electronic device used for a localization of the wirelessly locatable tag by the electronic device, comprising:
a first housing member defining a first exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag;
a removable second housing member; and
an audio system comprising:
a magnet assembly configured to produce a magnetic field; and
a coil positioned within the magnetic field and coupled to an interior surface of the first housing member, the coil configured to interact with the magnetic field to:
in a first mode of operation, move a portion of the first housing member to produce an audible output;
in a second mode of operation, move the portion of the first housing member to produce a tactile output; and
in a third mode of operation, produce an electrical current in response to movement produced by a force input applied to the portion of the first housing member.

16. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 15 , wherein:
the wirelessly locatable tag further comprises a frame member within the wirelessly locatable tag and defining a battery cavity; and
the removable second housing member defines a second exterior surface of the wirelessly locatable tag and is configured to retain a battery in the battery cavity.

17. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 15 , wherein the audible output and the tactile output have different frequencies.

18. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 15 , wherein moving the portion of the first housing member to produce the audible output or the tactile output comprises deforming the first housing member.

19. The wirelessly locatable tag of claim 15 , wherein the first housing member comprises:
a peripheral member defining:
a peripheral wall; and
a top wall defining an opening;

a central member at least partially within the opening; and
a compliant member flexibly coupling the cent

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Crosby Justin D
• Perkins Ryan C
• Jung Woojin
• Sano Tatsuya
• Schaevitz Samuel B
• Walton Christopher J
• Werner Christopher M

Classifications

• A45F5/1508

  Holders or carriers for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or digital music players · CPC title

• A45F5/155

  Holders or carriers for thin, flat, rectangular articles, e.g. ID badges or cards · CPC title

• A45F5/00 Primary

  Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping · CPC title

• A61B5/1116

  Determining posture transitions · CPC title

• E05B73/0005

  using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006) · CPC title