EP1189479A1 - Système de communication avec transmission sans fil - Google Patents

Système de communication avec transmission sans fil Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1189479A1
EP1189479A1 EP00610093A EP00610093A EP1189479A1 EP 1189479 A1 EP1189479 A1 EP 1189479A1 EP 00610093 A EP00610093 A EP 00610093A EP 00610093 A EP00610093 A EP 00610093A EP 1189479 A1 EP1189479 A1 EP 1189479A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
microphones
microphone
signal
portable
microphone unit
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00610093A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Keith Lam
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Frontrow Calypso LLC
Original Assignee
Phonic Ear Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Phonic Ear Inc filed Critical Phonic Ear Inc
Priority to EP00610093A priority Critical patent/EP1189479A1/fr
Publication of EP1189479A1 publication Critical patent/EP1189479A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/08—Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
    • H04R1/32—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only
    • H04R1/40—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
    • H04R1/406—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers microphones

Definitions

  • the invention relates to wireless communication systems. Such systems are well known within the art of transmitting a signal from an emitter to a receiver.
  • the systems comprise both infrared communication systems and radio frequency communication systems.
  • a previously known system comprises a stationary microphone for transforming an acoustical signal to an electrical signal, which is modulated for infrared transmission in modulating electronics. These electronics are connected to a stationary IR emitter, which transmits the modulated signal.
  • An IR receiver e.g. mounted in a headset or body-pack, is provided at each of the persons in the environment desiring to receive the emitted signal. The received signal is demodulated in demodulating electronics and transferred to the earphones worn by the listener.
  • the receivers and connected demodulating electronics may be connected to various other types of transmission equipment, such as loudspeakers via external amplification systems
  • a system which comprises a handheld microphone/emitter unit. This means that the speaker is unable to use both hands and at the same time hold the microphone in a correct position. This is inconvenient in many situations, i.e. in an education environment.
  • a communication system with a portable part and a stationary part comprising at least two microphones for receiving the wearers voice, modulation electronics in connection with the microphones for modulating the microphone signal, at least one signal emitter in connection with the modulating electronics adapted for transmitting the modulated microphone signal, the stationary part comprising, at least one receiver for receiving the transmitted modulated microphone signal, demodulating electronics in connection with the at least one receiver.
  • the two microphones form part of a single portable unit suitable for placement around a wearers neck, where the unit comprises a flexible carrier element having a free end, where at least two microphones are placed in a fixed position in relation to the flexible carrier element, with an angle between the main direction of at least two microphones in the range of 30-180 degrees.
  • the angle is in a preferred embodiment in a range of 60-120 degrees, and even more advantageous approximately 90 degrees.
  • the microphones are placed in a fixed position with mutual angular distance it is possible to provide an optimal positioning in front of the wearer's mouth independent of the wearer's position of the head, hereby being able to provide a proper microphone input signal independent of the position of the wearer's head.
  • the receiver(s) may be stationary or portable.
  • the end receiver equipment may comprise one or more loudspeakers or as an alternative portable loudspeaker headsets.
  • the at least two microphones are connected in series, hereby reducing their sensitivity and hence lessen mechanical noise, e.g. clothing noise or rubbing noise.
  • an IR emitter is provided as a signal emitter.
  • at least two IR emitting means are provided, where these two means are positioned on the unit to cover different transmission areas.
  • the blocking of the IR signals is reduced significantly.
  • the two IR emitting means are electrically connected in parallel. Hereby power consumption and circuit size are reduced.
  • three IR emitting means are provided. Preferably all the IR emitting means are electrically connected in parallel. The three IR means provides for an even more improved area coverage. Moreover the presence of three means provides for backup in case of failure of one of the IR means.
  • the invention further relates to a microphone unit for use in a wireless transmission communication system, the microphone unit comprising at least two microphones for receiving a wearers voice; at least one signal emitting means; where the unit comprises a flexible carrier element having a free end; where the at least two microphones are placed in a fixed position in relation to the flexible carrier element, with an angle between the main direction of the at least two microphones in the range of 30-180 degrees.
  • an IR emitter is provided as a signal emitter.
  • at least two IR emitting means are provided, where these two means are positioned to cover different transmission areas.
  • the two IR emitting means are advantageously electrically connected in parallel.
  • an antenna is provided as a signal emitter for transmission of RF signals, preferably FM signals.
  • the microphones are in the preferred embodiment placed on the unit in such a manner that they are distanced from the chest of the wearer, preferably at positions close to the wearer's mouth. Hereby the microphones are optimally positioned for reception of the wearer's voice.
  • the IR emitting means may be positioned adjacent to the microphones or along the flexible element.
  • At least two microphones are connected in series, hereby reducing their sensitivity and hence lessen mechanical noise, e.g. clothing noise or rubbing noise.
  • a RF transmitting equipment may be used.
  • Modulating electronics preferably FM electronics although other may be used, and an antenna hereby will provide for the transmission.
  • the microphones serve as a function of providing a more uniform reception of the signal that coming from the speaker mouth.
  • the microphones are preferably directional microphones, and they are built to differentiate sound pressure coming from the front or from behind (mechanical delay).
  • Each microphone element has a particular coverage pattern, i.e. cardioid for unidirectional microphone. Putting the two microphones together in this fashion would create a new pattern of response. In this case the pattern is preferably shaped to cover the horizontal head rotation of the wearer, which is about 30 degrees on either side of the normal head position (facing straight ahead). Additionally, by the use of directional microphone elements, feedback would be lessen compares to a unidirectional microphones.
  • the angle between the microphones can be changed depending the microphone elements used.
  • Each microphone preferably has its own inlets, front and back, and each microphone has its own acoustic chamber even though they are preferably placed in the same housing. Hereby the housing is molded so that it has two separate chambers.
  • the curved element is preferably manufactured from a flexible material allowing the element to be flexed in a manner, which allows placement around the neck of the wearer and positioning of the microphones in a correct position in front of the wearer's mouth. In this resting position the microphones are in a suitable position for receiving the wearer voice signals. Further advantageous the element may be shaped to lock around itself upon bending or flexing, hereby constituting a loop around the wearer's neck. Hereby the placement is further secured.
  • FIG. 1 a communication system appears, which comprises a speaker side system and a listener side system.
  • the speaker side system comprises a microphone unit comprising two microphones 1,2 and two infrared (IR) LED's 8,9 mounted on a collar.
  • the unit is described more detailed in connection with Fig.2 and Fig. 3.
  • the microphone input signals are transferred to a modulating system 5 through wires 3,4 and after modulation from the modulating system 5 through wires 6,7 to the LED's 8,9 which emit the signal towards the listener side system.
  • the speaker side system is powered by batteries.
  • the listener side system comprises two receivers 10,11 (further receivers may be provided), a demodulating system 12, an amplifier 13 and one or more speakers 14,15 for outputting the received, demodulated and possibly amplified signal.
  • the listener side system may be powered either by a battery or by any other available electrical power source.
  • the listener side system may be stationary, portable or a combination of these.
  • the modulating and demodulating electronics are well known within the art of wireless transmission in the IR and in the RF area.
  • a microphone unit according to the invention appears in a front view. It appears that the microphone unit comprises a curved element 16 having a free end with a microphone housing 17, which is intended to be located in front of the wearers mouth when the microphone unit is mounted.
  • the two microphones 1,2 are mounted at the free end in such manner that the microphones preferably have a mutual angle of between 30 and 180 degrees. This may however vary dependent of the characteristics of the microphones.
  • the LED's 19 are placed in a housing 18 mounted on the flexible element 16. The LED's are only relevant in the embodiment using infrared transmission technology. Instead a RF, preferably FM type, signal-transmitting equipment may be utilized.
  • a switch is shown in the housing 18.
  • This is intended as a mute switch, preferably for use in an FM system, although in this drawing it has been shown together with the IR emitting means.
  • a wire 21 extends to a box 22 containing modulating electronics as well as transmitting electronics.
  • Indicators 24 as well as channels selector button 23 are shown in the drawing.
  • the microphone housing 17 appears seen from the side. It appears that the housing is mounted at the free end of the flexible gooseneck element 21. A part 26 of the housing containing one microphone is indicated in the drawing.
  • the microphone housing 17 appears seen from the top. It appears that the microphones are placed in protruding angular spaced parts 25,26 of the housing.
  • the angle of the microphones is shown as 27. The angle is in the shown embodiment about 45 degrees. This means that the angle between the microphone is about 90 degrees.
  • the bending may be effected individually as the curved element preferably comprises a goose-neck material, which is commonly known for other purposes. A soft metal like copper may be utilized having essentially the same effect, although this will inherently posses the disadvantage of being quite heavy compared with typical goose-neck materials. It should be appreciated that by the term goose-neck material any material or combination of material is meant, which are adapted for bending into a preferred position or shape and are adapted for maintaining this shape until a further bending operation is performed
EP00610093A 2000-09-15 2000-09-15 Système de communication avec transmission sans fil Withdrawn EP1189479A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00610093A EP1189479A1 (fr) 2000-09-15 2000-09-15 Système de communication avec transmission sans fil

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00610093A EP1189479A1 (fr) 2000-09-15 2000-09-15 Système de communication avec transmission sans fil

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1189479A1 true EP1189479A1 (fr) 2002-03-20

Family

ID=8174410

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00610093A Withdrawn EP1189479A1 (fr) 2000-09-15 2000-09-15 Système de communication avec transmission sans fil

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1189479A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1236773A (en) * 1967-10-11 1971-06-23 Akg Akustische Kino Geraete A microphone assembly
US5563951A (en) * 1994-07-25 1996-10-08 Interval Research Corporation Audio interface garment and communication system for use therewith
WO1998007298A1 (fr) * 1996-08-12 1998-02-19 Interval Research Corporation Appareil a cadre bf individuel portatif
US5793875A (en) * 1996-04-22 1998-08-11 Cardinal Sound Labs, Inc. Directional hearing system
US5969838A (en) * 1995-12-05 1999-10-19 Phone Or Ltd. System for attenuation of noise
EP1043846A2 (fr) * 1999-04-05 2000-10-11 Phonic Ear, Inc. Dispositif de communication à transmission sans fil

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1236773A (en) * 1967-10-11 1971-06-23 Akg Akustische Kino Geraete A microphone assembly
US5563951A (en) * 1994-07-25 1996-10-08 Interval Research Corporation Audio interface garment and communication system for use therewith
US5969838A (en) * 1995-12-05 1999-10-19 Phone Or Ltd. System for attenuation of noise
US5793875A (en) * 1996-04-22 1998-08-11 Cardinal Sound Labs, Inc. Directional hearing system
WO1998007298A1 (fr) * 1996-08-12 1998-02-19 Interval Research Corporation Appareil a cadre bf individuel portatif
EP1043846A2 (fr) * 1999-04-05 2000-10-11 Phonic Ear, Inc. Dispositif de communication à transmission sans fil

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