Communication device and assembly

Abstract

Example embodiments relate to a communication device. An example embodiment of the communication device includes: a device housing; a display positioned near a bottom surface on a front surface of the device housing; and a linear microphone array positioned to capture audio through a plurality of corresponding microphones accessibly through a plurality of corresponding microphone holes that are disposed on a second side surface of the housing. The linear microphone array has an audio pickup pattern defining a speech cone. The communication device also includes at least one microphone channel recessed in an exterior surface of the device housing.

Description

Communication Device and AssemblyCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 729,778, filed on December 9, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Providing patient care in healthcare facilities (e.g., hospitals) generally necessitates interaction between healthcare workers (e.g., doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, nurse practitioners, etc.) and between those healthcare workers and various devices / systems that support the treatment of patients.

[0003] Many healthcare facilities have already installed one or more wireless networks to support wireless communication devices such as laptop computers and mobile phones that could facilitate this interaction. These wireless networks typically use standard wireless networking protocols, such as one of the 802.11 standards, with wireless access points distributed throughout the facilities and coupled with each other and / or with other network nodes using wireless mesh networking and / or wired (e.g., Ethernet) networking. When in coverage of such a network, healthcare workers may thus use their wireless communication devices in a conventional manner, to engage in calls with each other and perhaps to communicate with a centralized healthcare management system, among other possibilities.SUMMARY

[0004] In some embodiments, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a device housing having: (i) a front surface; (ii) a rear surface opposite the front surface; (iii) a first side surface; (iv) a second side surface opposite the first side surface; (v) a bottom surface connecting the front surface, the rear surface, and the first and second side surfaces; and (vi) a top surface connecting the front surface, the rear surface, and the first and second side surfaces.

[0005] The communication device also includes a display positioned near the bottom surface on the front surface of the device housing. The display outputs graphical elements to a user.

[0006] The communication device also includes a plurality of control buttons positioned near the top surface on the front surface of the device housing. The control buttons are configured to be activated by the user to perform predefined functions.

[0007] The communication device also includes a speaker positioned to output audio through a plurality of speaker holes disposed on the first side surface, and a linear microphone array positioned to capture audio through a plurality of corresponding microphones accessible through a plurality of corresponding microphone holes disposed on the second side surface. The linear microphone array has an audio pickup pattern defining a speech cone.

[0008] The communication device also includes at least one microphone channel recessed in an exterior surface of the device housing. The plurality of microphone holes are disposed in the at least one microphone channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, a communication device assembly is provided. The communication device assembly includes a clip assembly and a communication device. The clip assembly is configured to couple the communication device to clothes, a neck-strap, a lanyard of a user. The communication device in this assembly can take the form described above, among other possibilities.

[0010] These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives should become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a front, top, left side perspective view of a communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a back, top, right side perspective view of the communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0014] Figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0015] Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0016] Figure 6 illustrates a rear view of the communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0017] Figure 7 illustrates a left side view of the communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0018] Figure 8 illustrates a right side view of the communication device, in accordance with example embodiments

[0019] Figure 9 illustrates a right side view of another embodiment of a communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0020] Figure 10 illustrates a right-side view of another embodiment of a communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0021] Figure 11 illustrates a front, top, and right side perspective view of another embodiment of a communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0022] Figure 12 illustrates one implementation of a communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0023] Figure 13 illustrates a top view of a communication device in the implementation illustrated in Figure 12.

[0024] Figure 14 illustrates an example implementation of a communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.

[0025] Figure 15 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of a communication device, in accordance with example embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Example methods and systems are described herein. It should be understood that the words “example,” “exemplary,” and “illustrative” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or feature described herein as being an “example,” being “exemplary,” or being “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or features. The exemplary embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. It should be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0027] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may be practiced without some or all of these particulars. In other instances, details of known devices and / or processes have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts aredescribed in conjunction with specific examples, it should be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

[0028] Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the figures should not be viewed as limiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may include more or less of each element shown in a given figure. Further, some of the illustrated elements may be combined or omitted. Yet further, an exemplary embodiment may include elements that are not illustrated in the figures.

[0029] Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples of the subject matter according to the present disclosure, which may or may not be claimed, are provided below.

[0030] As noted above, many healthcare workers use wireless communication devices to communicate with each other and with supporting systems in typical healthcare facilities. It may be inconvenient or impractical for the healthcare workers to hold and operate those devices as they go about their business. Even though some devices may support hands-free communication, a user may still need to hold and physically interact with the device to engage in certain functions such as powering on the device, dialing calls, or the like. For instance, a user may need to hold the device while interacting with a graphical user interface on a display of the device and / or with a physical keypad or other such interface of the device.

[0031] As presently contemplated, a solution to this problem is to equip healthcare workers with communication devices that rely largely on voice interaction. Such a device could be small, portable, and lightweight, configured to be worn by a healthcare worker (e.g., clipped to a shirt collar or worn on a neck-strap), and could operate in an always-on state, enabling the healthcare worker to quickly and conveniently place and receive calls, receive alerts, and interact with supporting systems, all without a need to hold the device and with minimal or no need to even touch the device.

[0032] Representative healthcare facilities could be configured with a communication system and associated systems that support the use of such devices, and each healthcare worker could wear and use one of the devices. In particular, the communication system could include a wireless network having one or more wireless access points that the devices could communicate with using a standard or proprietary wireless communication protocol. Additionally, the communication system could include a central computing system that the devices could communicate with through the network and that controls and / or facilitates various communication operations. The healthcare workers could then conveniently make use of their devices to place and receive calls with each other and to engage in communicationwith the central computing system, to facilitate accessing healthcare information, receiving or sending messages, indications, or alerts, and engaging in other communications.

[0033] A representative communication device, also referred to as a “user device” or electronic device, could be powered by a rechargeable battery and could include one or more microphones, which are accessible through microphone holes (e.g., acoustic ports), for receiving voice or other audio input and one or more speakers and / or other interfaces for outputting voice or other audio. Further, the device could include one or more LEDs, haptic actuators, and / or other mechanisms for presenting visual, haptic, or other indications or alerts to the user. The device could also include a WiFi communication module or other wireless communication module to enable the device to communicate with the central computing system.

[0034] When such a device powers on within the healthcare system or otherwise enters into the healthcare system, the device may use its WiFi module to scan for WiFi coverage and may acquire WiFi connectivity with a nearby access point, and the device may then engage in signaling through the network with the central computing system, to register its presence and active state in the system. Once the device is connected and registered, the device may then engage in communications with and through the central computing system, to facilitate communicating with other users and with associated systems.

[0035] In an example implementation, the device could be configured to receive voice commands from its user and to convey those voice commands to the central computing system for processing. For example, to initiate a voice call to another user, the user may speak call-initiation voice command designating a name of the other user, the device may responsively convey that voice command to the central computing system, and the central computing system may then engage in signaling to set up the requested voice call to the other user and may bridge the call, enabling the users to talk with each other. As another example, to request assistance or action to serve a patient, the user may speak an associated voice command expressing the request, the device may responsively convey that voice command to the central computing system, and the central computing system may process the request for assistance, perhaps conveying the request to one or more associated users and / or departments for handling.

[0036] Furthermore, in the example implementation, the device is worn by a user in a suspended, extemally-accessible position. In an example implementation, the device may be worn at a neck-line of a uniform garment (e.g., a scrub top), a chest pocket, or a shoulderpocket or upper arm band. Thus, the structural arrangement of components of the device may contemplate such a use case.

[0037] One technical issue that may arise in practice with such a communication device may occur when a user instinctively grabs the communication device while speaking, often covering the microphone holes with their hands. That obstruction may degrade audio quality by preventing sound from properly reaching the microphones. To address this issue, the communication device may incorporate recessed channels around the microphone holes. The channels may create alternative pathways for sound to be directed to reach the microphones, helping to prevent a situation where all possible microphone pathways are accidentally blocked. In some examples, these channels may provide an audio path or encompass multiple microphones, and one or more of the channels may extend from one surface of the communication device to another for redundancy and to further help prevent full blockage.

[0038] Another technical issue that may arise in practice with such a communication device is that the device may be configured with a specific directional microphone-pickup pattern but, when a user grabs the device and tries to speak into the device, the user’s voice may not align properly with that microphone pickup pattern. By way of example, the communication device may be configured to hang vertically from a clip attached to the user’s shirt pocket or lapel, from a neck-strap, or neck-line of a uniform garment, and a linear microphone array disposed on a side surface of the device may be configured with an audio pickup pattern defining a “speech cone” in an upward direction designed to encompass the user’s mouth, so as to pick up voice utterances by the user. An example of this speech cone arrangement is disclosed for instance in International Patent Application Pub. No. WO 2023 / 196695, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Unfortunately, however, if the user instead holds the device in the user’s hand and tries to talk directly into that side linear microphone array, audio pickup may not work well, since the speech cone in that situation would then be directed to the side rather than toward the user’s mouth.

[0039] To help overcome this technical issue as well, the example communication device could be equipped with a dummy microphone hole, or “guide microphone hole,” that works to guide the user’s voice input by making it seem like a microphone is present where it is not actually present. For instance, if the goal is to have a user speak in a direction toward the top of the device so as to have the upward-facing speech cone produced by a side- disposed linear microphone array, this guide microphone hold could be provided on the top surface of the device, possibly also in a microphone channel to make it seem like it is amicrophone hole even though there would be no working microphone positioned under that hole. Further, to additionally help guide the user to speak in a direction down toward the top surface of the device, a microphone icon could be printed or etched on the top surface near the guide microphone hole.

[0040] Yet another technical issue with such a communication device is that users may experience difficulty viewing the display, often resulting in users missing important display-based notifications and other information. If the device is configured to be worn by the user hanging down vertically, this issue may arise if the plane of the display surface is fully parallel to the vertical hanging direction, such that the user may need to tilt the device up substantially to be able to see the display. To help address this technical issue, the example communication device may include a display that is tilted upward toward the user’s eyes when the device is hanging vertically, so that the user can more readily see content on the display. Namely, this tilt may enable quick and effortless visibility of alerts and messages, requiring only a minor adjustment of the orientation of the communication device. Further, this tilt may also help to avoid neck strain as the user attempts to glance down and read the display.

[0041] Furthermore, a related issue is that the display on such a device may present content oriented upright (i.e., in its default, non-rotated state) when a user is looking straight on at the front face of the device. Unfortunately, if the device is worn hanging vertically from its top end, the device itself is effectively positioned upside down relative to its default orientation. Thus, a problem is presented in that, if the user looks down at the display, content presented on the display would be upside down from the user’s perspective. To help address this technical issue as well, the example communication device may be configured to present content upside down on the display with respect to the front face of the device, such that a top of the content is at the bottom edge of the display (the edge farthest from the user’s eyes) and a bottom of the content is at the top edge of the display (the edge closest to the user’s eyes). That way, when the user looks down at the display, the content can appear upright to the user. This arrangement may also help to prevent nearby users from reading content on the display, since the content would be upside down from their perspective.Communication Device

[0042] As noted above, the communication device could be a lightweight, portable, battery powered device, configured to support voice-based communication and wireless network communication. The communication device could be coupled to a user via a clip assembly. When the communication device is coupled to the clothes, a neck-strap, a lanyard,or the like of a user via the clip assembly, the communication device assumes a substantially vertical physical orientation. For example, a bottom surface of a housing of the communication device is oriented distal to a head of the user, and a top surface of the housing is oriented proximal to the head of the user. Such a device could take various forms.

[0043] Without limitation, Figures 1-8 depict a representative example of the communication device as a device 100.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1-8, the example device 100 includes a device housing 110. The device housing 110 could be formed from multiple pieces that are joined together. For example, the device housing 110 could have a front cover, a back cover, and a perimeter sidewall or mid-frame connecting the two covers. In other embodiments, the device housing 110 may be formed as a single piece construction. The device housing 110 could be formed using a variety of manufacturing processes, such as, for example, injection molding and / or vacuum forming. In addition, the device housing 110 could be formed from a number of materials, including, but not limited to, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), plastic, metal, rubber, and / or a combination of these and / or other materials.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1-8, the device housing 110 includes: (i) a front surface 111; (ii) a rear surface 112 opposite the front surface 111; (iii) a left side surface 113 (e.g., first side surface); (iv) a right side surface 114 (e.g., second side surface); (v) a bottom surface 115 connecting the front surface 111, the rear surface 112, and the pair of side surfaces 113 and 114; and (vi) a top surface 116 connecting the front surface 111, the rear surface 112, and the pair of side surfaces 113 and 114. Each of the surfaces curves smoothly into each other, creating rounded edges and corners for ergonomic handling and aesthetic appeal.

[0046] Furthermore, the device 100 includes a linear microphone array positioned inside the device 100 behind a linear array of microphone holes 120 on the right side surface 114 of the device housing 110. In some embodiments, the linear array of microphone holes 120 may be positioned on other surfaces of the device housing 110, such as the top, bottom, front, or left side surfaces.

[0047] The linear microphone array may include three microphones positioned inside the device 100 behind respective microphone holes 122. The three linearly aligned microphone holes 122 as shown, could alternatively include a different number of linearly aligned microphone holes 122, for example at least two microphone holes 122 that are spaced from each other by a distance on the order of 2 to 5 centimeters or so. The microphones holes 122 of the linear array of microphone holes 120 provide the corresponding microphonesaccessibility to receive acoustic input. The microphones could be digital microphones configured to receive acoustic input and convert the acoustic input into a stream of digital samples for processing by the device 100.

[0048] Particularly, the microphones of the linear microphone array cooperatively establish an audio pickup pattern defining a speech cone. The speech cone may represent an optimal area or zone from which the microphones can most effectively pick up sound, such as the user’s voice.

[0049] For example, in an example implementation as depicted in Figures 12 and 13 and described further below, when the device 100 is hanging from a neck-strap, the device 100 assumes a substantially vertical physical orientation (i.e., the bottom surface 115 is oriented distal to a head of the user, and the top surface 116 is oriented proximal to the head of the user). The linear microphone array uses microphone beamforming (with constructive and destructive waveform interference) to direct the speech cone in a direction that is largely parallel with the array, i.e., upward from the device 100 when the device is hanging vertically downward and the linear microphone array extends in a line vertically along an axis of a side of the device 100.

[0050] In this speech cone, the microphones are fine-tuned, using beamforming, to prioritize capturing the user’s speech while minimizing interference from sounds outside the cone, such as background noise or environmental distractions. This arrangement may help to ensure clear and high-quality audio capture, making the device particularly effective for voice-based communication.

[0051] Unfortunately, however, if a user holds the device 100 in the user’s hand and speaks into the device 100, the user may direct the user’s speech toward the microphones accessible through the microphone hole array 120 located on the right side surface. This creates an issue because the speech cone (i.e., the area of greatest microphone sensitivity), which is configured for hands-free use when the device 100 is hanging vertically, is oriented in a different direction (e.g., perpendicular to the device's side surface). Thus, instead of speaking along an axis of the speech cone, which is parallel to the axis of the right side surface 114 of the device 100, the user speaks transversely to the axis of the speech cone, which could pose an issue in view of the direction of the speech cone.

[0052] To address this issue and guide the user’s speech into the speech cone, the device 100 includes a guide hole 160. In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 13, the device 100 may also include a microphone icon or graphic 162 positioned near the guide hole160 to visually indicate the intended primary sound entry point, even though there is not actually a microphone at that point.

[0053] The guide hole 160 is disposed on the top surface 116 of the device housing 110 near the linear array of microphone holes 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide hole 160 is immediately adjacent to an end of the linear array of microphone holes 120.

[0054] The guide hole 160 is configured to align with the axis of the speech cone. This alignment means that the guide hole 160 is positioned to visually direct the user to speak to the speech cone, to help ensure that the user’s voice is within the speech cone for enhanced microphone performance.

[0055] The device 100 also includes a speaker that is positioned inside the device 100 and is accessible through speaker holes 130 at the left side surface 113 of the device housing 110 and near the top surface 116. While the left side surface 113 is only one example, the speaker is not limited to this position and could alternatively be disposed elsewhere to help prevent acoustic feedback or other issues. In some embodiments, the speaker, accessible through the speaker holes 130, is positioned opposite to the microphones, which are accessible through the microphone holes 122. The speaker is configured to output voice, tones, and / or other audio to be heard by the user.

[0056] The device 100 can include a user interface structure, such as a number of user-accessible buttons 140 as shown for instance. The device 100 may also include logic to facilitate associating various functions with the user interface structure, such as with particular buttons, based on preprogrammed rules, user selections, or other contexts. The device 100 is provided with the appropriate hardware (e.g., processor, integrated circuits, and the like) and software instructions to associate buttons (e.g., first button, second button, and the like) with a particular function (activation, panic, and the like), and may further be arranged to allocate different functions to different buttons based on preprogrammed rules, user selections, or other use contexts.

[0057] In some embodiments, the user-accessible buttons 140 themselves are configured to provide tactile feedback, such as a mechanical click or haptic vibration, from the buttons 140 when actuated. Additionally, the device 100 may provide supplementary feedback in response to a button press, such as emitting an audible alert, activating an LED indicator, or generating a device-wide haptic vibration (e.g., from a vibrating motor of the device 100). For example, pressing the panic button 143 may trigger both tactile feedback from the button and an audible alarm or LED confirmation from the device 100, to help ensure the user is aware that the action was successfully registered.

[0058] The activation button 141 may be a primary control for user interaction with the device 100, as an alternative or in addition to voice control of the device 100. Further, the activation button 141 could invoke various different device functions depending on context. For instance, depending on context, the user may engage the activation button 141 to initiate a dialog with a system agent or may engage the activation button 141 to accept an incoming call or to initiate other call-related functions. In addition, the device 100 may respond differently to engaging the activation button 141 depending on whether the user presses and immediately releases the button or the user presses, momentarily holds, and then releases the button.

[0059] The do-not-disturb / hold button 142 may also be a momentary push button, or may be a toggle switch, specifically for placing the device 100 in a do-not-disturb (DND) mode if no call is currently in progress or in a hold mold if a call is in progress. As shown, the DND / hold button 142 could be disposed at the top of the device 100, for convenient access. Further, the DND / hold button 142 may be backlit by a multi-color LED that is normally inactive but that turns on when the device 100 is in the DND mode or hold mode, possibly lighting differently depending on which of these modes is on - such as blinking while the device 100 is in the DND mode or being continuously illuminated while the device 100 is in the hold mode.

[0060] The panic button 143 may likewise be a momentary push button, situated near or at the top of the device 100 for convenient access. When the user engages the panic button 143, the device 100 may send a panic message, which may cause a central computing system (e.g., processor) to send notifications to other users, indicating an emergency or urgent matter.

[0061] Further, the display control buttons 144 may have a push-button configuration and be situated on the front surface 111 of the device 100 as shown, enabling the user to change multiple configurations of the device 100.

[0062] In some embodiments, the device 100 could be configured to scrollably present on a display 150 a list of communication items, such as received (and / or sent) messages, alerts, and / or calls, among other possibilities and to allow a user of the device to scroll through the list. The display control buttons 144 may be configured to control the communication items on the display 150. This configuration is further described below with reference to Figure 14.

[0063] The display 150 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). In some embodiments, the display 150 may present a graphical user interface. The device 100 displays various data onthe display 150, such as data for reviewing text messages and web pages received by the device 100 and / or data to permit the user to control the voice communications of the device 100. The display 150 also enables the user to control the device 100 such that the device 100 announces the origin of an incoming call.

[0064] As noted above, in an example implementation, the device 100 assumes a substantially vertical physical orientation. Thus, in some embodiments, the display 150 is configured to output data in an orientation that is inverted (or rotated 180 degrees) relative to the device's default upright orientation, when the device 100 is detected to be hanging vertically from its top end. This arrangement helps to ensure that the data (e.g., displayed information) is correctly oriented for the user when viewed from above, providing improved readability and usability. Additionally, having the display content output data in an orientation that is inverted relative to the device's default upright orientation may enhance privacy, as the information appears inverted or difficult for bystanders to read, thereby helping to protect sensitive or personal data from viewing by unintended viewers.

[0065] In some embodiments, as depicted in Figures 1, 5, 7, and 8, the display 150 is positioned flush (i.e., coplanar) with a plane of the front surface 111 of the device housing 110. The plane of the front surface 111 is a large continuous flat surface of the device housing 110 including the display control buttons 144.

[0066] In other embodiments, as depicted in Figure 11, the display 150 may be tilted at an angle relative to the plane of the front surface 111, protruding outward from the front surface 111. In some embodiments, the tilt angle of the display 150 relative to the plane of the front surface 111 may be less than 90 degrees, less than 60 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 15 degrees, or less than 5 degrees. The tilt angle of the display 150 is further described below with reference to Figure 11.

[0067] As depicted in Figures 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8, a snap insert 180 is disposed on the rear surface 112 of the device 100. The snap insert 180 corresponds to a snap button (not shown) of a clip assembly (e.g., clip assembly 1200 shown in Figure 13 and described further below). In particular, the snap insert 180 is mounted to pivotably couple a strap (not shown) of the clip assembly 1200 to the snap insert 180. As a result, there is a degree of freedom to allow the device 100 to rotate relative to the clip assembly 1200. An example of this clip assembly 1200 is disclosed for instance in International Patent Application Pub. No. WO 2023 / 164328, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0068] In some implementations, the device 100 and the clip assembly 1200 may further include other pivots, j oints, or other elements to afford additional degrees of freedomallowing movement and rotation between the device 100 and the point of affixation to the user’s clothing.

[0069] As noted above, the device 100 includes the linear microphone array positioned to capture audio through the plurality of corresponding microphone holes 122. In the example shown, the microphone holes 122 are disposed on the right side surface 114 of the device housing 110. To help enable the microphone array to capture audio, the device 100 includes at least one microphone channel 170 recessed a predetermined distance in the right side surface 114 of the device housing 110. The plurality of microphone holes 122 are recessed in the at least one microphone channel 170.

[0070] In some embodiments, the predetermined distance may be at least 0.01 millimeters, at least 0.1 millimeters, at least 1 millimeter, at least 2 millimeters, at least 4 millimeters, at least 8 millimeters, or at least 10 millimeters. The plurality of microphone holes 122 are disposed in the at least one microphone channel 170.

[0071] As depicted in Figure 8, the at least one microphone channel 170 includes the plurality of microphone holes 122 recessed in the channel 170. In the example shown, the at least one microphone channel 170 includes a first microphone channel 172, which extends along a portion of the right side surface 114 of the device housing 110, and a second microphone channel 174, which extends from a portion of the right side surface 114 to a portion of the top surface 116 of the device housing 110.

[0072] Particularly, the first microphone channel 172 is positioned on the right side surface 114 of the device housing 110, located between the panic button 143 and a power jack receptacle 184. The first microphone channel 172 surrounds two of the microphone holes 122 in the linear microphone hole array 120. The second microphone channel 174 is positioned above the power jack receptacle 184 on the right side surface 114. The second microphone channel 174 extends from the right side surface 114 to the top surface 116 of the device housing 110, surrounding another microphone hole 122, which is located on the right side surface 114 in the microphone hole array 120, as well as the guide hole 160, which is positioned on the top surface 116.

[0073] In this embodiment, the at least one microphone channel 170 creates alternative audio paths for the audio to reach the microphone holes 122. This is achieved because the channel 170 is a single, contiguous acoustic volume recessed into the housing 110. The individual microphone holes 122 are recessed directly into the channel 170, creating a shared audio path that allows sound entering any portion of the channel 170 to travel laterally and be directed to reach the microphones associated with each microphone hole 122.

[0074] The arrangement helps to ensure that a user cannot completely block all audio paths by accident, even if the user’s hand partially covers the microphone holes 122. Namely, if a user covers a microphone hole, audio may still be able to pass through the channel into the microphone hole and thus into the associated microphone.

[0075] Without limitation, Figure 9 illustrates another representative example of the communication device as a device 200. The device 200 includes another embodiment of a least one microphone channel 270 having at least one slot formed in the device housing 210. One or more components of the device 200 are the same as or similar in form and function to one or more components of the device 100.

[0076] Figure 9 illustrates a right side view of the device 200. In this arrangement, the at least one microphone channel 270 is recessed into an exterior surface of the device housing 210. A plurality of microphone holes 222 of a linear microphone hole array 220 are disposed in the at least one microphone channel 270. The at least one microphone channel 270 is configured to direct audio toward the plurality of microphone holes 222 located in the at least one microphone channel 270. The at least one microphone channel 270 includes a first microphone channel 272, and a second microphone channel 274.

[0077] The first microphone channel 272 is positioned on the right side surface 214 of the device housing 210, located between a panic button 243 and the power jack receptacle 284. The first microphone channel 272 surrounds two of the microphone holes 222 in the linear microphone hole array 220.

[0078] The second microphone channel 274 is located above the power jack receptacle 284 on the right side surface 214. The second microphone channel 274 extends along the right side surface 214 above the power jack receptacle 284 toward the top surface 216 of the device housing 210 and surrounds another microphone hole 222 on the right side surface 214.

[0079] In contrast to the at least one microphone channel 170 of the device 100, the at least one microphone channel 270 includes at least one slot. As shown in Figure 9, the first microphone channel 272 includes a slot 278 that runs along the length of the first microphone channel 272. The slot 278 is an opening on the exterior surface of the device housing 210 having a rectangular shape. In some embodiments, the slot 278 may be any shape and is not limited to a rectangular shape.

[0080] Positioned beneath the slot 278 is the first microphone channel 272 that extends along the length of the slot 278. The first microphone channel 272 is wider than the slot 278, creating a recessed pathway beneath the exterior surface, where the plurality ofmicrophone holes 222 are disposed. The slot 278 serves as a narrower opening on the exterior surface, compared to the width of the first microphone channel 272 positioned beneath it.This embodiment helps create a stepped configuration where the slot 278 restricts the surface opening, while the underlying channel 272 provides a broader pathway for audio transmission to the microphone holes 222.

[0081] Similar to the first microphone channel 272, the second microphone channel 274 includes a slot 278 that partially exposes the microphone hole 222 disposed inside the second microphone channel 274. In some embodiments, the second microphone channel 274 may extend from the right side surface 214 to the top surface 216 and surround the other microphone hole 222 in the linear microphone hole array 220.

[0082] In this embodiment, the microphone channels 272 and 274 create alternative audio paths for the audio to reach the microphone holes 222. This is achieved because each microphone channel 272 and 274 is a contiguous acoustic volume into which multiple microphone holes 222 are recessed. Therefore, sound entering any point along the exposed length of a channel (such as channel 272) can travel laterally in that channel's volume and reach all the microphones associated with the microphone holes 222 recessed into that specific channel.

[0083] The arrangement helps to ensure that it is difficult for a user to completely block all audio paths by accident, even if the user’s hand partially covers the microphone holes 222. Additionally, the microphone channels 272 and 274 may encompass multiple microphone holes and, in some cases, extend to the opposite side of the device 100 for redundancy, further enhancing audio capture reliability.

[0084] Additionally, by recessing the microphone channels 272 and 274, and placing the microphones behind the microphone holes 222, this configuration helps to minimize exposure to external elements like dust, dirt, or liquid spills. The slots 278 limit the total exposed surface area of the opening of each microphone channels 272 and 274 by replacing the large open recesses with narrower controlled apertures.

[0085] Without limitation, Figure 10 illustrates another representative example of the communication device as a device 300. The device 300 includes another embodiment of at least one microphone channel 370 that follows a “U” shaped profile instead of a linear profile of the at least one microphone channel 170 of device 100 shown in Figure 8. One or more components of the device 300 are the same as or similar in form and function to one or more components of the device 100.

[0086] Figure 10 illustrates a right-side view of the device 300. The at least one microphone channel 370 is recessed in an exterior surface of the device housing 310. A plurality of microphone holes 322 of a linear microphone hole array 320 are disposed in the microphone channel 370.

[0087] The microphone channel 370 includes a first microphone channel 372 and a second microphone channel 374. The first microphone channel 372 extends along a portion of the right side surface 314 of the device housing 310, between a panic button 343 and a power jack receptacle 384. The second microphone channel 374 extends along the right side surface 314 above the power jack receptacle 384 and toward the top surface 316 of the device housing 310.

[0088] The first microphone channel 372 includes two arm channels 371 and a body channel 373. The two arm channels 371 extend from an edge of the front surface 311 of the device housing 310 to the right side surface 314. The body channel 373 connects the two arm channels 371, forming a continuous pathway. Each of the two arm channels 371 has an open end at the edge of the front surface 311. However, in some embodiments, each of the two arm channels 371 may have a closed end at the edge of the front surface 311.

[0089] For example, the first microphone channel 372 follows a “U” shaped profile. The two arm channels 371 of the “U” shaped profile extend from the edge of the front surface 311 of the device housing 310 to the right side surface 314.

[0090] The second microphone channel 374 includes an arm channel 375 and a body channel 376. The body channel 376 extends along a portion of the right side surface 314 above the power jack receptacle 384 and toward the top surface 316 of the device housing 310. The arm channel 375 extends from the edge of the front surface 311 of the device housing 310 to the right side surface 314, meeting the end of the body channel 376. The arm channel 375 and the body channel 376 are connected to form a continuous pathway. Additionally, the arm channel 375 has an open end at the edge of the front surface 311. However, in some embodiments, the arm channels 375 may have a closed end at the edge of the front surface 311.

[0091] The first and second microphone channels 372 and 374 create alternative audio paths for the audio to be directed to reach the microphones, which are accessible through the microphone holes 322. This is achieved because each microphone channel 372 and 374 is a contiguous acoustic volume into which one or more microphone holes 322 are recessed. Since the microphone holes 322 are recessed into the channels 372 and 374, soundentering any open portion of a channel can travel within that channel's volume to reach all associated microphones.

[0092] The arrangement helps to ensure that a user does not completely block all audio paths by accident, even if the user’s hand partially covers the microphone holes 322. The recessed first and second microphone channels 372 and 374 may also protect the microphones 321 from debris and physical damage, which may contribute to the device's durability.Angled Display of Communication Device

[0093] Without limitation, Figure 11 illustrates another representative example of the communication device as a device 400. In such an embodiment, one or more components of the device 400 are the same or similar in form and function to one or more components of the device 100, the device 200, or the device 300 described above.

[0094] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the device 400 assumes a substantially vertical physical orientation. For example, a bottom surface 415 of a housing410 of the device 400 is oriented distal to a head of a user, and a top surface 416 of the housing 410 is oriented proximal to the head of the user.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a display 450 is integrated in the device 400, similar to the display 150 of the device 100. The display 450 is integrated into the device 400 in a manner that optimizes usability and viewing comfort. The display 450 is tilted at an angle AA relative to a plane X of the front surface 411, protruding slightly outward. The plane X is depicted in Figure 11 as an arrow and is in parallel with the front surface 411.

[0096] The tilt angle AA is configured to align with the user's natural line of sight, enhancing readability and minimizing strain during prolonged use. By positioning the display 450 at an ergonomic angle, the configuration accommodates typical usage scenarios, such as when the device 400 is clipped to the user’s clothing, as shown in Figures 12-13.

[0097] The tilt angle AA of the display 450 relative to the axis X of the front surface411 may vary depending on different implementations. In some embodiments, the tilt angle AA is less than 90 degrees, less than 60 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 15 degrees, or less than 5 degrees.

[0098] As a result, a user can easily read the display 450 of the device 400 by simply glancing downward when the device 400 is vertically oriented. There is no need to physically move, reposition, or hold the device 400 to view the display 450, of the amount of physical movement or repositions of the device 400 may be reduced.Physical Orientation and Speech Cone of Communication Devices

[0099] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an example implementation of a communication device as device 100 coupled via a clip assembly to clothes, a neck-strap, a lanyard, or the like of a user.

[0100] In this example implementation, the device 100 may be coupled to the clothes of a user via a clip assembly 1200. When secured in this manner, the device 100 naturally adopts a substantially vertical and upright orientation. Specifically, the bottom surface 115 of the device housing 110 is oriented distal to a head of the user, and the top surface 116 of the device housing 110 is oriented proximal to the head of the user.

[0101] The snap insert 180 is positioned on the rear surface 112 of the device 100. The snap insert 180 is configured to correspond with a snap button (not shown) in a clip assembly, such as the clip assembly 1200.

[0102] Specifically, the snap insert 180 is mounted to the pivotable attachment of a strap (not shown) from the clip assembly 1200, facilitating the connection of the clip assembly 1200 to the device 100. This configuration allows the device 100 to rotate relative to the clip assembly 1200, providing a degree of freedom for improved adjustability. As a result, when the snap insert 180 of the device 100 is coupled to a user via the clip assembly 1200, the device 100 is in a predominantly vertical position.

[0103] As depicted in Figure 12, the speech cone 1250 is primarily aligned parallel to the microphone array, which is accessible through the microphone hole array 120 — extending upward from the device 100 when the device 100 is oriented vertically, with the linear microphone hole array 120 positioned along the right side surface 114 of the device 100. The microphones in the linear microphone array employ microphone beamforming, utilizing constructive and destructive waveform interference to focus a speech cone 1250 in a specific direction.

[0104] Particularly, the microphones have an audio pickup pattern that defines the upward facing speech cone 1250 when the device 100 is hanging vertically as shown in Figure 12 for instance. The speech cone 1250 represents the optimal area or zone from which the microphones can most effectively pick up sound, such as the user’s voice.

[0105] However, as noted above, if a user holds the device 100 in their hand and speaks directly into it, their speech may be directed toward the microphone holes within the microphone hole array 120 rather than aligning with the speech cone 1250. This misalignment can result in the user speaking outside the boundaries of the speech cone,potentially diminishing the effectiveness of the microphone array’s audio capture. To address this issue, as noted above, the device 100 includes a guide hole 160.

[0106] The guide hole 160 is aligned with the speech cone 1250 and serves as a visual reference to direct the user to speak toward the speech cone 1250 for audio capture. Thus, when the user speaks toward or at the guide hole 160, the user’s voice remains within the defined speech cone 1250. As a result, the guide hole 160 may help to enhance the microphones’ performance, and thus help to deliver consistent and high-quality audio input.Dynamic Scrollable Display of Communication Items

[0107] In an example implementation, the device 100 could be configured to scrollably present on the display 150 a list of communication items, such as received (and / or sent) messages, alerts, and / or calls, among other possibilities and to allow a user of the device 100 to scroll through the list. In particular, the device 100 may present on the display 150 a window into the list, and the device 100 may be configured to respond to a user pressing applicable buttons on the device by scrolling through displaying the items in the list, i.e., scrolling the list through the display window, possibly highlighting or otherwise emphasizing one item at a time within the display window.

[0108] For each item in the list, the device 100 may store a set of associated field values and may define a set of associated contextual actions. Example field values for received messages or alerts, for instance, may include sender name, patient name, send time, subject, importance level indicator, and / or message body, among other possibilities. Example contextual actions may then include actions such as accept, call, delete, ignore, etc., with the set of contextual actions per item possibly depending on the type of item, such as whether the item is a received message, a received call, or a received alert, for instance.

[0109] As the device 100 scrollably presents the list of items, the device 100 may present just a summary view of each item respectively, such as a brief indication of sender name, send time, and subject field values of the item. Upon receipt of user input as to a given item presented in the display window 150, the device 100 may then responsively present a detailed view of that item, possibly including the summary view and associated contextual actions, so as to enable the user to select one of the contextual actions.

[0110] In the example implementation, the buttons 144 on the device 100 may be arranged as a cluster including up, down, left, right, and select buttons. The device 100 may be configured to dynamically define functions of these buttons depending on context. For instance, when the device 100 is presenting an audio, the device 100 may dynamically treat the up and down buttons as being volume adjustment buttons and may respond to a userpressing those buttons by correspondingly adjusting output volume of the audio. Whereas, when the device 100 is scrollably presenting a list of items, the device may dynamically treat the up and down buttons as being list navigation buttons and may respond to a user presenting of those buttons by correspondingly scrolling up or down through the list.

[0111] More specifically, when the device 100 is scrollably presenting the list of communication items, the buttons 144 on the device 100 may function to facilitate user navigation through display 150 of the items and user interaction related to the displayed items. For instance, in this state, the device 100 may be configured to respond to a user pressing of the up or down buttons by vertically scrolling up or down through display of the list of items, e.g., by scrolling the list vertically through the display window 150.

[0112] Further, in this state, the device 100 may be configured to respond to a user pressing of the select button by expanding the currently emphasized item to present the detailed view of that item. Presenting the detailed view of the item may include presenting graphical objects respectively indicating the associated contextual actions, possibly horizontally aligning those graphical objects with the left and right buttons of the cluster, so as to indicate that the user can press one of those left and right buttons to invoke a correspondingly indicated contextual action.

[0113] In some implementations, once the device 100 is presenting the detailed view of an item in the list in response to a user having selected that item by pressing the select button or the like, the device 100 may keep that item in the detailed-view state until the device receives further user input requesting to collapse the item back to its summary view. Thus, even as the user scrolls up or down away from that item, the item may stay in the detailed-view state, so that if the user scrolls back to the item (e.g., again making it the currently highlighted item), the items detailed view would be shown. In order to collapse that item back to its summary view, the user may need to again press the select button, a separate back or close button, or possibly one of the contextual action item buttons, with the device being configured to respond to the user pressing such a button by transitioning to the item to its summary view within the scrollable list of items.

[0114] Requiring the user to press a button in order to collapse a currently expanded item in the scrollable list may be burdensome to the user by requiring numerous button presses. This may be the case especially if the device frequently receives communication items and the user often needs to expand items from their summary views to their detailed views. From a user experience perspective, it would be desirable for the device to handle this process more seamlessly, with fewer required button pushes.

[0115] A technical solution to this problem involves the device 100 automatically collapsing an expanded item upon scrolling away from display of the item, e.g., as the device 100 begins to scroll the item out of the display window 150 and / or once the device 100 has scrolled the item entirely out of the display window 150, among other possibilities.

[0116] As presently contemplated, when the device 100 is presenting the detailed view of an item in the scrollable list, the device 100 may thus detect when the device 100 is scrolling away from display of that item, and the device 100 may respond to detecting that the device 100 is scrolling away from display of that item by automatically collapsing the item from its detailed view to just its summary view. From the user’s perspective, the mere act of scrolling the list of items may thus result in a currently expanded item being collapsed. Thus, if the device 100 is presenting an item in the detailed-view state and the user presses a navigation button to scroll the list vertically up through the display window, the device may automatically collapse that item to just its summary view. In turn, if the user then presses a navigation button to scroll the list back down, that item would thus be shown in its summaryview state.

[0117] The device 100 may thereby allow the user to scroll up or down through the list in order to close a given item and move on to a next item, without a need for the user to press a select, close, or back button to do so. This process, combined with the process of displaying the detailed view of an item in-line within the scrollable list of items, may greatly increase efficiency and speed of scrolling through and interacting with the items.

[0118] Figure 14 illustrates an example of this process. In particular, Figure 14 illustrates four successive states of the example device 100 scrollably displaying a list of communication items. In a first state, as the device 100 highlights a first item related to Lisa Reilly, showing a summary view of that alert. In response to a user pressing a select button in this first state, the device 100 then transitions to a second state, in which the device 100 presents the detailed (expanded) view of the highlighted alert, including contextual cancel and accept action items aligned with the left and right buttons of the device 100. Alternatively, in response to a user pressing a down button in the first state, the device 100 then transitions to a third state, scrolling the list of items up to show in summary view a second item related to Josh McNab. Further, with the benefit of the present process, when the device 100 is in the second state presenting the detailed view of the first item, the device 100 may respond to the user pressing the down button by not only moving to the third state but automatically collapsing the view of the first item from its detailed view back to its summaryview. In turn, in the third state, the device 100 may again respond to the user pressing the select button by transitioning to present the detailed view of the second item.

[0119] Figure 15 is a simplified block diagram showing some of the components of an example device that may be configured to carry out the operations described throughout the present disclosure. As shown, the device 100 incudes a network communication interface 1500, a display 1502, a button cluster 1504, a processor 1506, and non-transitory data storage 1508, which may be coupled together or otherwise in communication with each other through a system bus or other connection mechanism 1510.

[0120] The network communication interface 1500 may comprise a wireless and / or wired interface through which the device could engage in communications such as to receive various communication items that the device would scrollably display as noted above. For instance, the network communication interface 1500 may comprise a WiFi communication interface and / or a cellular communication interface, among other possibilities.

[0121] The display 1502 may comprise a panel for presenting content such as for scrollably presenting a list of communication items as noted above. The display may comprise a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode display, and another form of display. Further, the display may be a touch-sensitive display, enabling possibly virtual versions of the buttons noted above, or perhaps allowing swiping or other touch input to achieve similar functionality.

[0122] The button cluster 1504 may comprise a number of buttons arranged to facilitate operations such as those noted above. These buttons may take various forms, such as mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons, solid-state buttons with haptic feedback, or the like.

[0123] The processor 1506 may include one or more general purpose processors (e.g., microprocessors) and / or one or more specialized processors (e.g., digital signal processors (DSPs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural processing units (NPUs), etc.)

[0124] And the non-transitory data storage 1508 may comprise one or more volatile and / or non-volatile storage components (e.g., flash, optical, magnetic, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or double data rate RAM (DDRAM)), electronically programmable read only memory (EPROM), and / or electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), etc.), which may be integrated in whole or in part with the processor 1506 or may be provided separately. Further, as shown, the data storage 1508 may store program 1instructions 1512, which may be executable by the processor 1506 to carry out various device operations described herein.

[0125] The present disclosure also contemplates non-transitory data storage (e.g., one or more non-transitory computer-readable medium components (e.g., optical, magnetic, or flash storage, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, cache memory, and / or other computer- readable media, etc.)) holding program instructions executable by at least one processor of a device to cause the device to carry out various operations described herein.

[0126] In addition, the present disclosure contemplates a computer program comprising a set of program instructions executable by at least one processor of a device to carry out (e.g., to cause the device to carry out) various operations described herein. In an example implementation, the computer program could further be stored in non-transitory data storage such as that noted above, among other possibilities.

[0127] As used herein, “coupled” means associated directly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directly associated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith, e.g., via another member C. It should be understood that not all relationships among the various disclosed elements are necessarily represented.

[0128] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and / or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

[0129] Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “one example” means that one or more feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one implementation. The phrases “one embodiment” or “one example” in various places in the specification may or may not be referring to the same example.

[0130] As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and / or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, orhardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and / or as being “operative to” perform that function.

[0131] The limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

[0132] By the term “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” with reference to amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. For example, in one embodiment, the term “about” can refer to ± 5% of a given value.

[0133] Exemplary embodiments have been described above. Those skilled in the art will understand, however, that changes and modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A communication device comprising: a device housing including (i) a front surface, (ii) a rear surface opposite the front surface, (iii) a first side surface, (iv) a second side surface opposite the first side surface, (v) a bottom surface connecting the front surface, the rear surface, and the first and second side surfaces, and (vi) a top surface connecting the front surface, the rear surface, and the first and second side surfaces; a display positioned proximate the bottom surface on the front surface of the device housing, wherein the display outputs graphical elements to a user; a linear microphone array configured to capture audio through a plurality of corresponding microphones accessible through a plurality of corresponding microphone holes that are disposed on the second side surface, wherein the linear microphone array has an audio pickup pattern defining a speech cone; and at least one microphone channel recessed in an exterior surface of the device housing, wherein the plurality of microphone holes are disposed in the at least one microphone channel.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the at least one microphone channel is configured to direct audio to the plurality of microphones accessible through the plurality of corresponding microphone holes that are disposed in the at least one microphone channel.

3. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the at least one microphone channel extends along the second side surface of the device housing.

4. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the at least one microphone channel comprises: a first microphone channel extending along a portion of the second side surface of the device housing; and a second microphone channel extending from a portion of the second side surface of the device housing to a portion of the top surface of the device housing.

5. The communication device of claim 4, wherein the first microphone channel comprises two arm channels and a body channel, wherein the two arm channels extend from an edge of the front surface of the device housing to the second side surface of the device housing, wherein the body channel connects the two arm channels to form a continuous pathway, and wherein each of the two arm channels have an open end at the edge of the front surface.

6. The communication device of claim 5, wherein the second microphone channel comprises an arm channel and a body channel, wherein the body channel extends from the portion of the second side surface of the device housing to the portion of the top surface of the device housing, wherein the arm channel extends from an edge of the front surface of the device housing to the top surface of the device housing, wherein the arm channel and the body channel are connected to form a continuous pathway, and wherein the arm channel has an open end at the edge of the front surface.

7. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the at least one microphone channel comprises a slot configured to provide a narrow surface opening to the at least one microphone channel.

8. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the at least one microphone channel comprises at least one opening at the exterior surface of the device housing, wherein the at least one opening extends along a length of the at least one microphone channel, and wherein the at least one opening partially exposes the plurality of microphone holes that are disposed in the at least one microphone channel.

9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the at least one microphone channel is recessed in the exterior surface of the device housing at least 0.01 millimeters.

10. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the speech cone is directed toward a head of the user when the communication device is worn by the user.

11. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a guide hole configured to resemble a microphone hole of the plurality of microphone holes,wherein the guide hole is aligned with the speech cone such as to visually guide the user to speak toward a direction of the speech cone.

12. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the guide hole is disposed on the top surface of the device housing.

13. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to output the graphical elements in an orientation that is inverted relative to a physical orientation of the device housing when the communication device is worn by the user.

14. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the front surface of the device housing defines a plane, wherein the display is tilted at an angle relative to the plane such as to protrude outward from the front surface, and wherein the angle is configured to align with a viewing angle of the user when the communication device is worn by the user.

15. The communication device of claim 14, wherein the angle is less than 90 degrees.

16. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a speaker positioned to output audio through a plurality of speaker holes that are disposed on the first side surface, wherein the plurality of speaker holes are positioned near the top surface of the device housing and on the first side surface of the device housing.

17. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of control buttons positioned near the top surface and on the front surface of the device housing, wherein the plurality of control buttons are configured to be activated by the user to perform predefined functions, and wherein the plurality of control buttons are configured to provide feedback when the plurality of control buttons are actuated.

18. A communication device assembly comprising: a communication device; anda clip assembly configured to couple the communication device to clothes of a user, wherein the communication device comprises a device housing including (i) a front surface, (ii) a rear surface opposite the front surface, (iii) a first side surface, (iv) a second side surface opposite the first side surface, (v) a bottom surface connecting the front surface, the rear surface, and the first and second side surfaces, and (vi) a top surface connecting the front surface, the rear surface, and the first and second side surfaces, a display positioned near the bottom surface on the front surface of the device housing, wherein the display outputs graphical elements to a user, a linear microphone array positioned to capture audio through a plurality of corresponding microphones accessible through a plurality of corresponding microphone holes that are disposed on the second side surface, wherein the linear microphone array has an audio pickup pattern defining a speech cone, and at least one microphone channel recessed in an exterior surface of the device housing, wherein the plurality of microphone holes are disposed in the at least one microphone channel.

19. The communication device assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one microphone channel is configured to direct audio to the plurality of microphones accessible through the plurality of corresponding microphone holes that are disposed in the at least one microphone channel.

20. The communication device assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one microphone channel extends along the second side surface of the device housing.

21. The communication device assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one microphone channel comprises: a first microphone channel extending along a portion of the second side surface of the device housing; and a second microphone channel extending from a portion of the second side surface of the device housing to a portion of the top surface of the device housing.

22. The communication device assembly of claim 21, wherein the first microphone channel comprises two arm channels and a body channel, wherein the two armchannels extend from an edge of the front surface of the device housing to the second side surface of the device housing, wherein the body channel connects the two arm channels to form a continuous pathway, and wherein each of the two arm channels have an open end at the edge of the front surface.

23. The communication device assembly of claim 22, wherein the second microphone channel comprises an arm channel and a body channel, wherein the body channel extends from the portion of the second side surface of the device housing to the portion of the top surface of the device housing, wherein the arm channel extends from an edge of the front surface of the device housing to the top surface of the device housing, wherein the arm channel and the body channel are connected to form a continuous pathway, and wherein the arm channel has an open end at the edge of the front surface.

24. The communication device assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one microphone channel comprises a slot configured to provide a narrow surface opening to the at least one microphone channel.

25. The communication device assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one microphone channel comprises at least one opening at the exterior surface of the device housing, wherein the at least one opening extends along a length of the at least one microphone channel, and wherein the at least one opening partially exposes the plurality of microphone holes that are disposed in the at least one microphone channel.

26. The communication device assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one microphone channel is recessed in the exterior surface of the device housing at least 0.01 millimeters.

27. The communication device assembly of claim 18, wherein the communication device assumes a substantially vertical physical orientation when attached to clothes of the user, wherein the bottom surface of the device housing is oriented distal to a head of the user, and wherein the top surface of the device housing is oriented proximal to the head of the user.

28. The communication device assembly of claim 27, wherein the speech cone is directed toward the head of the user.

29. The communication device assembly of claim 27, wherein the communication device further comprises: a guide hole configured to resemble a microphone hole of the plurality of microphone holes, wherein the guide hole is aligned with the speech cone such as to visually guide the user to speak toward a direction of the speech cone.

30. The communication device assembly of claim 29, wherein the guide hole is disposed on the top surface of the device housing.

31. The communication device assembly of claim 27, wherein the display is configured to output the graphical elements in an orientation that is inverted relative to the physical orientation of the device housing.

32. The communication device assembly of claim 31, wherein the front surface of the device housing defines a plane, wherein the display is tilted at an angle relative to the plane such as to protrude outward from the front surface, and wherein the angle is configured to align with a viewing angle of the user.

33. The communication device assembly of claim 32, wherein the angle is less than 90 degrees.

34. The communication device assembly of claim 21, wherein the communication device further comprises: a speaker positioned to output audio through a plurality of speaker holes that are disposed on the first side surface, wherein the plurality of speaker holes are positioned near the top surface of the device housing and on the first side surface of the device housing.

35. The communication device assembly of claim 21, wherein the communication device further comprises a plurality of control buttons positioned near the top surface and on the front surface of the device housing,wherein the plurality of control buttons are configured to be activated by the user to perform predefined functions, and wherein the plurality of control buttons are configured to provide feedback when the plurality of control buttons are actuated.

Images