CA1213684A - Wireless hands-free conference telephone system - Google Patents
Wireless hands-free conference telephone systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1213684A CA1213684A CA000464043A CA464043A CA1213684A CA 1213684 A CA1213684 A CA 1213684A CA 000464043 A CA000464043 A CA 000464043A CA 464043 A CA464043 A CA 464043A CA 1213684 A CA1213684 A CA 1213684A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- signal
- circuit
- transmitter
- receiver
- telephone system
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
A wireless hands-free conference telephone system includes an FM transmitter having multi-directional sound pick-up capability and battery power is adapted for remote wireless transmission of sounds originating in the area ad-jacent the transmitter to a unitary receiver, amplifier and voice switcher adapted for signal conducting connection to a conventional telephone system. The receiver portion of the unitary system is adapted for receiving the signal from the FM transmitter. The amplifier provides power to drive loudspeakers which radiate the sound incoming from the tele-phone system. A voice switching circuit is positioned between the telephone, the transmitter and the loudspeaker circuit, and is able to ascertain signal strength from the transmitter circuit and the incoming telephone line, discern which is the stronger signal, and increase the gain of that signal while decreasing the gain of the opposing signal.
A wireless hands-free conference telephone system includes an FM transmitter having multi-directional sound pick-up capability and battery power is adapted for remote wireless transmission of sounds originating in the area ad-jacent the transmitter to a unitary receiver, amplifier and voice switcher adapted for signal conducting connection to a conventional telephone system. The receiver portion of the unitary system is adapted for receiving the signal from the FM transmitter. The amplifier provides power to drive loudspeakers which radiate the sound incoming from the tele-phone system. A voice switching circuit is positioned between the telephone, the transmitter and the loudspeaker circuit, and is able to ascertain signal strength from the transmitter circuit and the incoming telephone line, discern which is the stronger signal, and increase the gain of that signal while decreasing the gain of the opposing signal.
Description
3i~3~
BACKGROU~D O~ THE I!~NTION
This invention relates to hands-free telephone systems, and more particularly, to a wireless hands-free conference telephone system adapted forsiqnal connection to a conventional telephone unit.
Heretofore, hands-free type telephone systems have utilized wired transmission means to send a signal from a micro-phone or transducer into the conventional telephone transmission system. TZireless transmitting units have previously been used in mobile telephone systems for boats, automobiles and air-planes, and more recently, in portable personal phones. None of the mobile or personal telephone systems have been adopted for multi-person conference type sound pick up, but have been limited to close range, single person use.
Conventional conference type telephone systems havina a hands-free sound pick-up unit with a microphone adapted for receiving voice or other transmission generated a substantial distance from the microphone have all been "wired" from the microphone to the conventional telephone circuitry. Patents directed to wired conference telephone systems and mobile radio telephone systems include U.S. Patent Nos. 3,889,059;
4,225,754; 4,291,197; 4,319,086; and 4,363,935.
Existing wired conference telephone systems include a transducer-microphone which is adapted to pick up voice and other signals aenerated at a distance of about 5-15 feet from the microphone. But such units, by being wired to the "hands-free unit", are designed to be positioned on a credenæa or other piece of furniture, preferably at the side of a room where the wire can be "out of sight".
~' ~13684 Other placement of a conference phone on desks, tables or the like, must conten~ with exposure of the wiring bet~een the microphone and the hands-free control unit telephone. Such devices do not len~ themselves to placement in the middle of a large conference table or other piece of furniture positioned l'out in the open" in a room. If what may be considered an unsightly wiring placement is to be avoided, positioning a wired conference telephone microphone in the center of a con-ference table has heretofore necessitated the placement Of a hole through the table top.
Heretofore, it was also believed that the use of microphones and speakers positioned in separate chasses facing each other ~.ould present feedback problems.
A need has arisen for a wireless microphone-transmitter which can be positioned in the middle of a conference table or on other types of furniture ~ithout the interference of exposed connecting wires, particularly for use in larqe conference rooms such as corporate board meeting rooms, and the like.
~t is th~refore an object of the present invention, generally stated, to provide an improved hands-free conference telephone system wherein the voice pick-up apparatus is remotely ~irelessly positioned from the remainder of the conference telephone system.
~3 ~213684 BRIEF SI~ Y OF THE I~JVE~'l rON
The invention is directed to a wi~reless hands~free conference telephone sys~em adapted for use in connection with a conventional telephone. The system comprises a wireless transducer/transmitter circuit for converting sound received into a first corresponding signal and radiating that sound from a position remote from the remainder of the telephone system. The system further includes a unitary control module including a receiver circuit for receiving the r~mo~ly radiated first corresponding signal and transferring it via a first signal path to an output adapted for connection to the telephone.
The unitary control module further includes a loudspeaker circuit for producing sound fro~ a secona corresponding signal via a second signal path from an input adapted for connection to the telephone. Lastly, the unitary control module includes a voice switching circuit acting between the telephone and both the loudspeaker circuit and the receiver circuit on the first and second signal paths for increasing the gain in the loudspeaker circuit when the second correspondin~ signal is greater than the first corresponding signal,and for increasing the gain in the receiver circuit when the first corresponding signal is greater than the second corresponding signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~JINGS
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description of a currently preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying :1~136~3~
drawings in the several figures of which like references numerals identify like elements, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the wireless hands-free conference telephone system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the transmitter unit is positioned on a conference table in one room, and the base or control module is positioned in an ad~oinin~ room having a wall therebetween on which is mounted a loudspeaker for the in-cominc3 signal.
FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the microphone/
transmitter unit.
FIGURE 3 is a diagramatic view of the microphone/
transmitter and unitary base-control module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION O~ THE P~EFERRED ~.~BODIr5ENT
Referring to FIGURE 1, the wireless hands-free con~
ference telephone system, generally indicated at 10, includes a remotely positionable, self-powered microphone/FM transmitter, generally indicated at 11, for picking up voice signals and transmitting same to a control or base unit 12 which is con-nected in wired relation to a commercial telephone line, in-dicated in FIGURE 1 by a commercial telephone 13. A loud-speaker 14 is positioned in wired relation to the control unit 12 for braodcastin~ the incoming signal from the co~mercial telephone line. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, the control unit 12 and commercial telephone 13 are positioned in a separate room adiacent the room in which the remote trans-mitter 11 and loudspeaker 14 are positioned. Loudspeaker 14 is positioned on the dividinc3 wall 15. The microphone/transmitter 12136~34 11 is preferably positioned centrally on a conference table 16 or other flat surface ~here it may pick up sound both directly and as reflected from the table top. Control unit 12 includes an FM receiver, a portion of the loudspeaker circuit including an amplifier 34, and a voice switching circuit 30, all to be discussed in greater detail below. lhe voice switching circuit monitors the inco~ing voice signal and the outgoing voice signal and increases the gain on the strongest signal while decreasing the gain on the weaker signal in order to avoid feedback problems as well as to provide enhanc~d communication capabilities between the conversing parties.
Referring to FIGURES 1,2 and 3, the micro~hone/
transmitter ~1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is positioned in a housing 12 which, in this em-bodiment, has the outline, as seen in an elevational view, of a regular hexagon definin~ 6 rectangular siae surfaces and a hexagon shape top surface. The hexagon shaped housing 12 allows equal spacea 120 positioning of 3 accoustical transducers or microphones 18-18, thus ~rovidlng efficient pick up of voices or other sounds aenerated from within about 15 feet anywhere around the unit. In a preferred embodiment 3 electret condenser microphones are utilized as theirclarity of reception a~pears su?erior to other presently available microphones. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 2, the microphone axis A--A is slanted downward toward the conference table top 16 or other horizontal surface on which the unit will be sitting at an angle ~approximating 30 from the vertical.
At this downward ansle, the microphone is positioned to re-cei~e not only a direct wave from the voice or other signal source, but also a reflected wave off of the horizontal surface lZ~3t~
on which the unit is positioned~ In the preferred e~bodi~ent the microphone is positioned a distance D ~rom the floor which is as close as possible without contact, i.e. approxi-mately 1/8 inch as a practical limit. The closeness of the microphone to the surface from which the reflected wave is received is important s~ that the reflected wave is not out of phase with the direct wave recei~ed by the microphone.
Microphone reception is enhanced by receiving both direct wave sounds and reflected wave sounds which are in phase ~ith each other. Out of phase sound reception tends to cause cancellation of parts of the sound.
As shown in FIGURE 3I the transducer/transmitter unit 11 includes an F~ transmitter 20 which transmits signals received from microphones 18-18 by radiating same from antenna 21. FM transmitter 20 is powered by battery 22, ?referably a conventional 9-volt NEDA 1604 type batterv. An on/off toggle switch 23 provides for selective energization of the trans-mitter and also includes a light emitting diode 2~, which informs users that the transmitter is on and o~erating.
Referring to FIG~RES 1 and 3, the signal which is radiated from antenna 21 of the transducer/transmitter 11 is received by the control or base unit 12 through antenna 25.
Antenna 25 is mounted, in this embodiment, on the top of a housing or chassis 26, containLn~ an FM receiver 27, which is con-nected to the telephone line 28 through a voice switching circuit 30 and a relay 31. Receiver 27 is driven by conventional llO-volt AC current~and the voice switching circuit 30 is driven by direct curxent po~er supply 32 receiving direct current from transformer 33 which, in turn, is connected to a conventional 110-volt AC power source at 29. Signals incoming from the telephone line are passed through relay 31 and voice switching circuit 30 into amplifier 3~ and thence to speakers 14 which, in this embodiment, are positioned in re~ote "wired"
relation to the control unit chassis 26. In the embodiment sho~Jn in FIGURE 1, the telephone 13 and control unit 12 are positioned in a roo~ separated from the conference or other room where the loudspeakers 14 and microphone/transmitter 11 are positioned, such as at a receptionist's station, or the like;
although the system may be positioned all in one area i~ de-sired.
It should be noted that the frequency at which FM
transmitter 11 radiates signals to receiver 27 in control unit 12 may change from locality to locality as the frequency must be on an issued frequency which is part of a "business band" regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
Hence, each unit is somewhat custom tailored during installation as to antenna height, recei~Jer and transmitter freauency settings, etc.
The ~arious sub-assemblies including the transmitter 20, receiver 27, voice switching circuit 30, amplifier 34, and louspeaker 14 ~ay be of commercially available manufacture.
For example, a microphone transmitter such as sold under the trademark COM-TEK 1~1-72 and its companion recordor M~-72 may be utilized within the scope of the present invention.
Any number of amplifiers, loudspeaXers and direct current power supplies are usable, and the power output of the am-plifier may vary depending on the number of speakers to be driven. Voice switching circuits similar to those used in existin~
13~84 "~ired" hands-free conference telephone units may be utilize~, including the PC-4B model of Precision Components, Inc., the K~-T1020 B9 Panasonic, and the QUSlB by Northern Telecom Limited.
Voice switching circuits are signal intensity des-criminators which monitor background noise, and identify the loudest voice-like signal, whether it is a part of the re-ceived signal or the transmitted signal in the telephone system, the circuit then increases the gain or power of that stronger signal while decreasing the gain or power of the ~eaker of the signals, in order to provide a clear single signal sound in the system. As the stren~th of the received and transmitted signals varies, the voice switching circuit responds accord-ingly. ~uch circuitry is shown in U. S. Patent No. 3,889,059.
Further, the advent of field effect transisters ~FET) with rapid switching characteristics have enhanced or shortened the response time of voice switching circuits, as shown in U. S. Patent No. 4,319,086.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the sub-assemblies, excludin~
the transmitter 11, and the speaker 14 if desired, may be mounted together in the unitary chassis 26 with a sin~le on/off switch 35 and volume rheostat 36 controlling the unit. The speaker 14 may be mounted on the chassis 26 (not shown) or located remotely as shown in FIGURE 1 with wired connection at conventional -jacks 37 positioned at the rear of the chassis.
~or large conference rooms where speaking individuals may be located more than approximately 15 feet from the microphone/
transmitter unit 11, two or more such units may be utilized and positioned in spaced relation, for example, along the length of a long conference table. Chassis 26 in ~IGURE 3 s}-ows an _n_ lZ~3684 additional receiver 38 in dotted line as it would be positioned in the chassis to recei~e F~ transmission from a second micro-phone/transmitter unit (not shown).
Thus, a wireless hands-free conference telephone system has been sho~n and described which provides state-of-the-art hands-free telephone capability without the need for cumbersome wiring connections between the microphone source and the commercial telephone system.
While one preferred embodiment of the hands-free conference telephone system of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. There-fore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the in~ention.
_ln_
BACKGROU~D O~ THE I!~NTION
This invention relates to hands-free telephone systems, and more particularly, to a wireless hands-free conference telephone system adapted forsiqnal connection to a conventional telephone unit.
Heretofore, hands-free type telephone systems have utilized wired transmission means to send a signal from a micro-phone or transducer into the conventional telephone transmission system. TZireless transmitting units have previously been used in mobile telephone systems for boats, automobiles and air-planes, and more recently, in portable personal phones. None of the mobile or personal telephone systems have been adopted for multi-person conference type sound pick up, but have been limited to close range, single person use.
Conventional conference type telephone systems havina a hands-free sound pick-up unit with a microphone adapted for receiving voice or other transmission generated a substantial distance from the microphone have all been "wired" from the microphone to the conventional telephone circuitry. Patents directed to wired conference telephone systems and mobile radio telephone systems include U.S. Patent Nos. 3,889,059;
4,225,754; 4,291,197; 4,319,086; and 4,363,935.
Existing wired conference telephone systems include a transducer-microphone which is adapted to pick up voice and other signals aenerated at a distance of about 5-15 feet from the microphone. But such units, by being wired to the "hands-free unit", are designed to be positioned on a credenæa or other piece of furniture, preferably at the side of a room where the wire can be "out of sight".
~' ~13684 Other placement of a conference phone on desks, tables or the like, must conten~ with exposure of the wiring bet~een the microphone and the hands-free control unit telephone. Such devices do not len~ themselves to placement in the middle of a large conference table or other piece of furniture positioned l'out in the open" in a room. If what may be considered an unsightly wiring placement is to be avoided, positioning a wired conference telephone microphone in the center of a con-ference table has heretofore necessitated the placement Of a hole through the table top.
Heretofore, it was also believed that the use of microphones and speakers positioned in separate chasses facing each other ~.ould present feedback problems.
A need has arisen for a wireless microphone-transmitter which can be positioned in the middle of a conference table or on other types of furniture ~ithout the interference of exposed connecting wires, particularly for use in larqe conference rooms such as corporate board meeting rooms, and the like.
~t is th~refore an object of the present invention, generally stated, to provide an improved hands-free conference telephone system wherein the voice pick-up apparatus is remotely ~irelessly positioned from the remainder of the conference telephone system.
~3 ~213684 BRIEF SI~ Y OF THE I~JVE~'l rON
The invention is directed to a wi~reless hands~free conference telephone sys~em adapted for use in connection with a conventional telephone. The system comprises a wireless transducer/transmitter circuit for converting sound received into a first corresponding signal and radiating that sound from a position remote from the remainder of the telephone system. The system further includes a unitary control module including a receiver circuit for receiving the r~mo~ly radiated first corresponding signal and transferring it via a first signal path to an output adapted for connection to the telephone.
The unitary control module further includes a loudspeaker circuit for producing sound fro~ a secona corresponding signal via a second signal path from an input adapted for connection to the telephone. Lastly, the unitary control module includes a voice switching circuit acting between the telephone and both the loudspeaker circuit and the receiver circuit on the first and second signal paths for increasing the gain in the loudspeaker circuit when the second correspondin~ signal is greater than the first corresponding signal,and for increasing the gain in the receiver circuit when the first corresponding signal is greater than the second corresponding signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~JINGS
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description of a currently preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying :1~136~3~
drawings in the several figures of which like references numerals identify like elements, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the wireless hands-free conference telephone system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the transmitter unit is positioned on a conference table in one room, and the base or control module is positioned in an ad~oinin~ room having a wall therebetween on which is mounted a loudspeaker for the in-cominc3 signal.
FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the microphone/
transmitter unit.
FIGURE 3 is a diagramatic view of the microphone/
transmitter and unitary base-control module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION O~ THE P~EFERRED ~.~BODIr5ENT
Referring to FIGURE 1, the wireless hands-free con~
ference telephone system, generally indicated at 10, includes a remotely positionable, self-powered microphone/FM transmitter, generally indicated at 11, for picking up voice signals and transmitting same to a control or base unit 12 which is con-nected in wired relation to a commercial telephone line, in-dicated in FIGURE 1 by a commercial telephone 13. A loud-speaker 14 is positioned in wired relation to the control unit 12 for braodcastin~ the incoming signal from the co~mercial telephone line. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, the control unit 12 and commercial telephone 13 are positioned in a separate room adiacent the room in which the remote trans-mitter 11 and loudspeaker 14 are positioned. Loudspeaker 14 is positioned on the dividinc3 wall 15. The microphone/transmitter 12136~34 11 is preferably positioned centrally on a conference table 16 or other flat surface ~here it may pick up sound both directly and as reflected from the table top. Control unit 12 includes an FM receiver, a portion of the loudspeaker circuit including an amplifier 34, and a voice switching circuit 30, all to be discussed in greater detail below. lhe voice switching circuit monitors the inco~ing voice signal and the outgoing voice signal and increases the gain on the strongest signal while decreasing the gain on the weaker signal in order to avoid feedback problems as well as to provide enhanc~d communication capabilities between the conversing parties.
Referring to FIGURES 1,2 and 3, the micro~hone/
transmitter ~1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is positioned in a housing 12 which, in this em-bodiment, has the outline, as seen in an elevational view, of a regular hexagon definin~ 6 rectangular siae surfaces and a hexagon shape top surface. The hexagon shaped housing 12 allows equal spacea 120 positioning of 3 accoustical transducers or microphones 18-18, thus ~rovidlng efficient pick up of voices or other sounds aenerated from within about 15 feet anywhere around the unit. In a preferred embodiment 3 electret condenser microphones are utilized as theirclarity of reception a~pears su?erior to other presently available microphones. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 2, the microphone axis A--A is slanted downward toward the conference table top 16 or other horizontal surface on which the unit will be sitting at an angle ~approximating 30 from the vertical.
At this downward ansle, the microphone is positioned to re-cei~e not only a direct wave from the voice or other signal source, but also a reflected wave off of the horizontal surface lZ~3t~
on which the unit is positioned~ In the preferred e~bodi~ent the microphone is positioned a distance D ~rom the floor which is as close as possible without contact, i.e. approxi-mately 1/8 inch as a practical limit. The closeness of the microphone to the surface from which the reflected wave is received is important s~ that the reflected wave is not out of phase with the direct wave recei~ed by the microphone.
Microphone reception is enhanced by receiving both direct wave sounds and reflected wave sounds which are in phase ~ith each other. Out of phase sound reception tends to cause cancellation of parts of the sound.
As shown in FIGURE 3I the transducer/transmitter unit 11 includes an F~ transmitter 20 which transmits signals received from microphones 18-18 by radiating same from antenna 21. FM transmitter 20 is powered by battery 22, ?referably a conventional 9-volt NEDA 1604 type batterv. An on/off toggle switch 23 provides for selective energization of the trans-mitter and also includes a light emitting diode 2~, which informs users that the transmitter is on and o~erating.
Referring to FIG~RES 1 and 3, the signal which is radiated from antenna 21 of the transducer/transmitter 11 is received by the control or base unit 12 through antenna 25.
Antenna 25 is mounted, in this embodiment, on the top of a housing or chassis 26, containLn~ an FM receiver 27, which is con-nected to the telephone line 28 through a voice switching circuit 30 and a relay 31. Receiver 27 is driven by conventional llO-volt AC current~and the voice switching circuit 30 is driven by direct curxent po~er supply 32 receiving direct current from transformer 33 which, in turn, is connected to a conventional 110-volt AC power source at 29. Signals incoming from the telephone line are passed through relay 31 and voice switching circuit 30 into amplifier 3~ and thence to speakers 14 which, in this embodiment, are positioned in re~ote "wired"
relation to the control unit chassis 26. In the embodiment sho~Jn in FIGURE 1, the telephone 13 and control unit 12 are positioned in a roo~ separated from the conference or other room where the loudspeakers 14 and microphone/transmitter 11 are positioned, such as at a receptionist's station, or the like;
although the system may be positioned all in one area i~ de-sired.
It should be noted that the frequency at which FM
transmitter 11 radiates signals to receiver 27 in control unit 12 may change from locality to locality as the frequency must be on an issued frequency which is part of a "business band" regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
Hence, each unit is somewhat custom tailored during installation as to antenna height, recei~Jer and transmitter freauency settings, etc.
The ~arious sub-assemblies including the transmitter 20, receiver 27, voice switching circuit 30, amplifier 34, and louspeaker 14 ~ay be of commercially available manufacture.
For example, a microphone transmitter such as sold under the trademark COM-TEK 1~1-72 and its companion recordor M~-72 may be utilized within the scope of the present invention.
Any number of amplifiers, loudspeaXers and direct current power supplies are usable, and the power output of the am-plifier may vary depending on the number of speakers to be driven. Voice switching circuits similar to those used in existin~
13~84 "~ired" hands-free conference telephone units may be utilize~, including the PC-4B model of Precision Components, Inc., the K~-T1020 B9 Panasonic, and the QUSlB by Northern Telecom Limited.
Voice switching circuits are signal intensity des-criminators which monitor background noise, and identify the loudest voice-like signal, whether it is a part of the re-ceived signal or the transmitted signal in the telephone system, the circuit then increases the gain or power of that stronger signal while decreasing the gain or power of the ~eaker of the signals, in order to provide a clear single signal sound in the system. As the stren~th of the received and transmitted signals varies, the voice switching circuit responds accord-ingly. ~uch circuitry is shown in U. S. Patent No. 3,889,059.
Further, the advent of field effect transisters ~FET) with rapid switching characteristics have enhanced or shortened the response time of voice switching circuits, as shown in U. S. Patent No. 4,319,086.
Referring to FIGURE 3, the sub-assemblies, excludin~
the transmitter 11, and the speaker 14 if desired, may be mounted together in the unitary chassis 26 with a sin~le on/off switch 35 and volume rheostat 36 controlling the unit. The speaker 14 may be mounted on the chassis 26 (not shown) or located remotely as shown in FIGURE 1 with wired connection at conventional -jacks 37 positioned at the rear of the chassis.
~or large conference rooms where speaking individuals may be located more than approximately 15 feet from the microphone/
transmitter unit 11, two or more such units may be utilized and positioned in spaced relation, for example, along the length of a long conference table. Chassis 26 in ~IGURE 3 s}-ows an _n_ lZ~3684 additional receiver 38 in dotted line as it would be positioned in the chassis to recei~e F~ transmission from a second micro-phone/transmitter unit (not shown).
Thus, a wireless hands-free conference telephone system has been sho~n and described which provides state-of-the-art hands-free telephone capability without the need for cumbersome wiring connections between the microphone source and the commercial telephone system.
While one preferred embodiment of the hands-free conference telephone system of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. There-fore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the in~ention.
_ln_
Claims (10)
1. A wireless hands-free conference telephone system adapted for use with a telephone, said system comprising:
a wireless transducer/transmitter circuit for con-verting sound received into a first corresponding signal and radiating same from a position remotely of the remainder of said telephone system; and a unitary control module including a receiver circuit for receiving said remotely eradiated first corresponding signal and transferring same via a first signal path to an output adapted for connection to said tele-phone;
a loudspeaker circuit for producing sound from a second corresponding signal via a second signal path from an input adapted for connection to said telephone; and a voice switching circuit acting between said tele-phone and both said loudspeaker circuit and said receiver cir-cuit on said first and second signal paths for increasing the gain in said loudspeaker circuit when said second corres-ponding signal is greater than said first corresponding signal, and for increasing the gain in said receiver circuit when said first corresponding signal is greater than said second corresponding signal.
a wireless transducer/transmitter circuit for con-verting sound received into a first corresponding signal and radiating same from a position remotely of the remainder of said telephone system; and a unitary control module including a receiver circuit for receiving said remotely eradiated first corresponding signal and transferring same via a first signal path to an output adapted for connection to said tele-phone;
a loudspeaker circuit for producing sound from a second corresponding signal via a second signal path from an input adapted for connection to said telephone; and a voice switching circuit acting between said tele-phone and both said loudspeaker circuit and said receiver cir-cuit on said first and second signal paths for increasing the gain in said loudspeaker circuit when said second corres-ponding signal is greater than said first corresponding signal, and for increasing the gain in said receiver circuit when said first corresponding signal is greater than said second corresponding signal.
2. The wireless hands-free conference telephone system as defined in claim 1 wherein said transducer/transmitter circuit includes an accoustical transducer for converting sounds into electrical signals, an FM transmitter for receiving said elec-trical signals, from said transducer and transmitting same over a pre-determined frequency, an antenna for radiating signals received from said transmitter, and a portable power supply for energizing said transducer/transmitter circuit as desired.
3. The wireless hands-free conference telephone system as defined in claim 1 wherein said loudspeaker circuit includes an amplifier circuit adapted for signal path con-nection to a loudspeaker for increasing the amplitude of any signal passed to said loudspeaker.
4. The wireless hands-free conference telephone system as defined in claim 1 wherein said voice switching circuit in-cludes means for determining a level of background or ambient signal in the vicinity of said transducer/transmitter circuit, means responsive to voice-like signals greater in am-plitude than said ambient signal for increasing the gain in said receiver circuit proportional to the difference in amplitude between said voice-like signal and said background signal, and likewise proportionally decreasing the gain in said loudspeaker circuit.
5. The wireless hands-free conference telephone system as defined in claim 2 wherein said accoustical transducer is a microphone.
6. The wireless hands-free telephone system as de-fined in claim 2 wherein said accoustical transducer is an electret microphone.
7. The wireless hands-free conference telephone system as defined in claim 1 wherein said second signal path is an electrically conductive path.
8. The wireless hands-free conference telephone system of claim 1 wherein said transducer/transmitter circuit includes an FM transmitter operative to transmit said first corresponding signal at a pre-determined frequency in a prescribed band of frequencies, and receiver includes an FM receiver tuned to receiver said first corresponding signal.
9. The wireless hands-free conference telephone system as defined in claim 2 further including a compact housing, and wherein said accoustical transducer includes a plurality of microphones positioned on said housing in even substantially radially outwardly extending orientation for receiving sound signals from a pre-determined angular segment of the circumferen-tial area surrounding said housing; each said microphone also being positioned to face generally downwardly in said housing at an acute angle to the vertical for picking up sound signals rebounding from any substantially horizontal surface on which said housing is positioned, a lowest part of said microphone being in close spatial proximity to any said horizontal surface.
10. A wireless hands-free conference telephone system adapted for use with a telephone, said system comprising:
a remote transmitter including a wireless microphone/transmitter circuit; and a receiver circuit, a loudspeaker circuit; and a voice switching circuit, all defining portions of a unitary control module;
said wireless microphone/transmitter circuit including a microphone, a transmitter, a power supply and a first antenna for converting sounds received in said microphone into a first corresponding signal in said transmitter and radiating same from said first antenna from a position remote from said receiver circuit;
said receiver circuit including an FM receiver having a second antenna for receiving said remotely radiated first cor-responding signal and transferring same along a conductive signal path to an output adapted for conductive connection to said telephone;
said loudspeaker circuit including an amplifier adapted for wired connection to a loudspeaker for producing audible sound from a second corresponding signal by an electric-ally conductive path from an input adapted for conductive connection to said telephone; and said voice switching circuit including means for sensing a level of background or ambient signal forming at least a part of said first corresponding signal from said receiver circuit; and means responsive to voice-like signals, when present in said first corresponding signal, which are greater in am-plitude than said ambient signal for increasing the gain in said receiver circuit proportional to the difference in ampli-tude between said voice-like signal and said ambient signal, and likewise proportionally decreasing the gain in said loud-speaker circuit.
a remote transmitter including a wireless microphone/transmitter circuit; and a receiver circuit, a loudspeaker circuit; and a voice switching circuit, all defining portions of a unitary control module;
said wireless microphone/transmitter circuit including a microphone, a transmitter, a power supply and a first antenna for converting sounds received in said microphone into a first corresponding signal in said transmitter and radiating same from said first antenna from a position remote from said receiver circuit;
said receiver circuit including an FM receiver having a second antenna for receiving said remotely radiated first cor-responding signal and transferring same along a conductive signal path to an output adapted for conductive connection to said telephone;
said loudspeaker circuit including an amplifier adapted for wired connection to a loudspeaker for producing audible sound from a second corresponding signal by an electric-ally conductive path from an input adapted for conductive connection to said telephone; and said voice switching circuit including means for sensing a level of background or ambient signal forming at least a part of said first corresponding signal from said receiver circuit; and means responsive to voice-like signals, when present in said first corresponding signal, which are greater in am-plitude than said ambient signal for increasing the gain in said receiver circuit proportional to the difference in ampli-tude between said voice-like signal and said ambient signal, and likewise proportionally decreasing the gain in said loud-speaker circuit.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000464043A CA1213684A (en) | 1984-09-26 | 1984-09-26 | Wireless hands-free conference telephone system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000464043A CA1213684A (en) | 1984-09-26 | 1984-09-26 | Wireless hands-free conference telephone system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1213684A true CA1213684A (en) | 1986-11-04 |
Family
ID=4128780
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000464043A Expired CA1213684A (en) | 1984-09-26 | 1984-09-26 | Wireless hands-free conference telephone system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1213684A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-09-26 CA CA000464043A patent/CA1213684A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4669108A (en) | Wireless hands-free conference telephone system | |
| US4555592A (en) | Wireless hands-free conference telephone system | |
| US5138651A (en) | Cordless loud speaking telephone | |
| US6195572B1 (en) | Wireless communications assembly with variable audio characteristics based on ambient acoustic environment | |
| CA2099945C (en) | Telephonic headset structure for reducing ambient noise | |
| EP1346552B1 (en) | A sound-based proximity detector for use in a mobile telephone apparatus | |
| US4237339A (en) | Audio teleconferencing | |
| JP5521004B2 (en) | Cellular telephone for simultaneous wireless communication and cellular communication | |
| US20030013495A1 (en) | Adaptive audible alert volume control | |
| US4078155A (en) | Telephone apparatus for use in a conference room | |
| US20030104842A1 (en) | Hands-free speakerphone device for mobile terminals | |
| AU2001268118A1 (en) | Cellular telephone with simultaneous radio and cellular communication | |
| JP2008518504A (en) | Composite wireless communication device and radio receiver | |
| US3987245A (en) | Compensated speaker-microphone | |
| US5511132A (en) | Communication device having air-borne and solid-borne transmitting and receiving devices | |
| JP3490663B2 (en) | hearing aid | |
| US5349698A (en) | Radio communication system for a selected one of a plurality of terminal units of different kinds | |
| CA1213684A (en) | Wireless hands-free conference telephone system | |
| US7027797B2 (en) | Portable terminal system | |
| US4224482A (en) | Mobile microphone-transmitter assembly | |
| JP3027641B2 (en) | Voice control device for wireless telephone | |
| CA1050154A (en) | Telephone conferencing apparatus | |
| CN219802576U (en) | Bone and gas conduction two-in-one loudspeaker | |
| WO2000053138A1 (en) | System and method for ambient noise cancellation in a wireless communication device | |
| JP2937974B2 (en) | Handset and mobile communication terminal system |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20040926 |