EP1484940A2 - Wind noise reduction for microphone - Google Patents

Wind noise reduction for microphone Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1484940A2
EP1484940A2 EP04000594A EP04000594A EP1484940A2 EP 1484940 A2 EP1484940 A2 EP 1484940A2 EP 04000594 A EP04000594 A EP 04000594A EP 04000594 A EP04000594 A EP 04000594A EP 1484940 A2 EP1484940 A2 EP 1484940A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
microphone
microphone unit
mesh
noise reduction
directional
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP04000594A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1484940B1 (en
EP1484940A3 (en
Inventor
David Andersson
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.)
Sony Mobile Communications AB
Original Assignee
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
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 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB filed Critical Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
Priority to EP04000594.4A priority Critical patent/EP1484940B1/en
Priority to TW093113756A priority patent/TWI343754B/en
Priority to CN201410138077.5A priority patent/CN103929689B/en
Priority to US10/559,509 priority patent/US7627132B2/en
Priority to CNA2004800157939A priority patent/CN1802873A/en
Priority to PCT/EP2004/005605 priority patent/WO2004112424A1/en
Publication of EP1484940A2 publication Critical patent/EP1484940A2/en
Publication of EP1484940A3 publication Critical patent/EP1484940A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1484940B1 publication Critical patent/EP1484940B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/08—Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
    • H04R1/083—Special constructions of mouthpieces
    • H04R1/086—Protective screens, e.g. all weather or wind screens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2410/00—Microphones
    • H04R2410/07—Mechanical or electrical reduction of wind noise generated by wind passing a microphone

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a transmitter portion of a portable electronic communication device and is concerned with reducing wind-noise produced by an undesired air stream blowing into a microphone.
  • non-directional microphones have been used in transmitters provided in portable electronic communication devices such as cellular phones.
  • these microphones are considered to be less sensitive to wind-noise from air blowing into the microphone compared to so-called “directional microphones”, wind-noise is often still a problem. Therefore, noise cancelling algorithms are sometimes used to reduce this problem.
  • noise cancelling algorithms are sometimes used to reduce this problem.
  • a drawback is that due to power consumption, noise cancelling algorithms are not always suitable in portable electronic devices having limited battery capacity.
  • non-directional microphones also suffer from low signal to ambient ratio, whereby noise or background sound can negatively influence voice. Therefore, there is also a need to improve this, for instance by using a directional microphone, which has a better signal to ambient ratio compared to a non-directional microphone.
  • a directional microphone is sensitive to wind noise, to be able to use the advantage compared to a non-directional microphone, wind noise sensitivity needs to be reduced. Due to large power consumption noise cancelling algorithms are not suitable in portable devices as described above. Because of that, non-directional microphones have not found wide-spread application among portable electronic devices of today.
  • a microphone in particular a directional microphone, for a portable electronic device having low power consumption, good signal to ambient ratio, and being resistant to wind noise.
  • the present invention is thus directed towards providing a microphone unit, in particular a directional microphone unit, for a portable electronic device that has low power consumption, good signal to ambient ratio, which device is resistant to wind noise.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a microphone for a telephone-transmitter to reduce wind-noise.
  • this is achieved by locating a microphone in a chamber provided with at least one sound passage, wherein one or more element(s) is/are provided in the sound passage(s) to decrease the speed of the air stream.
  • a microphone unit includes, in front of a microphone pick up of the microphone unit a chamber.
  • the chamber has a predetermined sectional area and volume, which together with the total sectional area and volume of the sound passages, reduces the influence of the undesired air stream.
  • a second aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit for a portable electronic device, comprising a microphone pick up located within a microphone pick up housing forming a chamber.
  • the chamber being provided with at least one sound passage opening for receiving sound from outside the device, wherein said at least one sound passage opening is provided with at least one wind noise reduction element.
  • a third aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second aspect, wherein said wind reduction element comprises a mesh having one layer.
  • a fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second aspect, wherein said wind noise reduction element comprises a mesh having a plurality of layers.
  • a fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the third or the fourth aspect, wherein the ratio between the chamber size and the density of the mesh is arranged to maintain the directional pick up pattern of the microphone used.
  • a sixth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second to the fifth aspect, wherein the mesh is made of metal.
  • a seventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second to the sixth aspect, wherein the mesh is made of polymer material such as nylon.
  • An eighth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second to the seventh aspect, wherein said housing extending in a longitudinal direction is a cylinder having a jacket surface and a side surface.
  • a ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the eight aspect, wherein said sound passage opening is a hole extending in the longitudinal direction in said mantle surface.
  • a tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the eight or ninth aspect, wherein said hole is a hole in said side surface.
  • An eleventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit icluding any one of the first to the tenth aspect, wherein said micophone unit is a directional microphone.
  • a twelveth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit according to any one of the first to the tenth aspects, wherein said microphone unit is non-directional.
  • the present invention can be advantageously applied to all types of microphones to reduce sensitivity to wind-noise.
  • Wind-noise is a significant problem particularly in directional microphones, which are more sensitive to this disturbance. Accordingly, the invention will be described with reference to a preferred embodiment in which an electret condenser type directional microphone is used, but is not in any sense limited thereto.
  • a main part 1 of a cellular phone transmitter unit is provided with a directional microphone pick up 2.
  • the microphone pick up 2 is surrounded by a pick up housing 3 forming a chamber 4 having a predetermined cross-sectional area and a predetermined volume, which chamber 4 encloses the microphone pick up 2.
  • the chamber 4 includes at least one sound passage opening 5, preferably a plurality of sound passage openings 5', 5' ', 5 ' ' ', each opening 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' provided with a wind noise reduction element 6.
  • the number of wind noise reduction elements 6', 6' ', 6' ' ' can be any suitable number and is by no means limited to a particular number.
  • the microphone pick up 2, the housing 3, the sound passage openings 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' and the noise reduction element 6', 6' ', 6' ' all together provide a directional microphone unit 10, which can be positioned in connection to a mouthpiece (not shown) provided in a front panel (not shown) of a portable electronic device (not shown). This is not shown in more detail since it is well known for a person skilled in the art of portable electronic devices.
  • the housing 3 has the shape of a cylinder, provided with a number of relatively large sound passage openings (holes) arranged in all directions, for instance extending in a longitudinally direction of a jacket surface 7.
  • part of the air stream which includes wind-noise is interrupted or blocked by the mouthpiece (not shown), and part is able to pass through the sound passage openings 5, 5', 5" to enter the chamber 4. Because of the interaction bewteen chamber 4 volume, openings 5, 5', 5" and wind noise reduction element 6, the air particle velocity, forming the wind, is not easily able to enter the chamber and produce wind-noise in the microphone pick up unit.
  • the wind noise reduction element 6 could for instance comprise one single layer such as a mesh made of metal, or polymer material.
  • the mesh can be of conventional type comprising wires 12 with openings 13.
  • the mesh can also be made of textile fabrics such as cotton fabric or the like.
  • the ratio between the chamber size and the density of the mesh is arranged to maintain a desired level of directionality from the microphone pick up unit.
  • the cross-sectional area and volume of the chamber may be determined experimentally to achieve the desired reduction in wind-noise.
  • the inventive microphone unit provides greatly reduced sensitivity to wind-noise, is non-expensive, since no electronics or software is required, and offer good overall frequency response characteristics.
  • the microphone unit is small in size, typically two to three times the size of the miniature microphone capsule. The reduction can vary from 15-30 dB depending on the amount of directionality that must be maintained. More reduction implies less directionality.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to wind noise reduction for a microphone (10) achieved by locating a microphone pick up (2) in a chamber (4) provided with at least one sound passage (5), wherein one or more element(s) (6) is/are provided in the sound passage(s) (5) to decrease the speed of the air stream.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmitter portion of a portable electronic communication device and is concerned with reducing wind-noise produced by an undesired air stream blowing into a microphone.
Conventionally, several types of so-called "non-directional microphones" have been used in transmitters provided in portable electronic communication devices such as cellular phones. However, although these microphones are considered to be less sensitive to wind-noise from air blowing into the microphone compared to so-called "directional microphones", wind-noise is often still a problem. Therefore, noise cancelling algorithms are sometimes used to reduce this problem. However, a drawback is that due to power consumption, noise cancelling algorithms are not always suitable in portable electronic devices having limited battery capacity.
Moreover, non-directional microphones also suffer from low signal to ambient ratio, whereby noise or background sound can negatively influence voice. Therefore, there is also a need to improve this, for instance by using a directional microphone, which has a better signal to ambient ratio compared to a non-directional microphone. However, since a directional microphone is sensitive to wind noise, to be able to use the advantage compared to a non-directional microphone, wind noise sensitivity needs to be reduced. Due to large power consumption noise cancelling algorithms are not suitable in portable devices as described above. Because of that, non-directional microphones have not found wide-spread application among portable electronic devices of today.
Thus, there is a need of a microphone, in particular a directional microphone, for a portable electronic device having low power consumption, good signal to ambient ratio, and being resistant to wind noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is thus directed towards providing a microphone unit, in particular a directional microphone unit, for a portable electronic device that has low power consumption, good signal to ambient ratio, which device is resistant to wind noise.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a microphone for a telephone-transmitter to reduce wind-noise.
According to a first aspect of the invention, this is achieved by locating a microphone in a chamber provided with at least one sound passage, wherein one or more element(s) is/are provided in the sound passage(s) to decrease the speed of the air stream.
A microphone unit according to the invention includes, in front of a microphone pick up of the microphone unit a chamber. The chamber has a predetermined sectional area and volume, which together with the total sectional area and volume of the sound passages, reduces the influence of the undesired air stream.
A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit for a portable electronic device, comprising a microphone pick up located within a microphone pick up housing forming a chamber. The chamber being provided with at least one sound passage opening for receiving sound from outside the device, wherein said at least one sound passage opening is provided with at least one wind noise reduction element.
A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second aspect, wherein said wind reduction element comprises a mesh having one layer.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second aspect, wherein said wind noise reduction element comprises a mesh having a plurality of layers.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the third or the fourth aspect, wherein the ratio between the chamber size and the density of the mesh is arranged to maintain the directional pick up pattern of the microphone used.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second to the fifth aspect, wherein the mesh is made of metal.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second to the sixth aspect, wherein the mesh is made of polymer material such as nylon.
An eighth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the second to the seventh aspect, wherein said housing extending in a longitudinal direction is a cylinder having a jacket surface and a side surface.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the eight aspect, wherein said sound passage opening is a hole extending in the longitudinal direction in said mantle surface.
A tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit including the aspects of the eight or ninth aspect, wherein said hole is a hole in said side surface.
An eleventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit icluding any one of the first to the tenth aspect, wherein said micophone unit is a directional microphone.
A twelveth aspect of the present invention is directed to a microphone unit according to any one of the first to the tenth aspects, wherein said microphone unit is non-directional.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view, of one embodiment of the microphone unit of the invention;
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view, of an embodiment of the microphone unit of the invention;
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a mesh which was used to reduce wind-noise; and
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
    The present invention can be advantageously applied to all types of microphones to reduce sensitivity to wind-noise. Wind-noise is a significant problem particularly in directional microphones, which are more sensitive to this disturbance. Accordingly, the invention will be described with reference to a preferred embodiment in which an electret condenser type directional microphone is used, but is not in any sense limited thereto.
    In Fig. 1 a main part 1 of a cellular phone transmitter unit is provided with a directional microphone pick up 2. The microphone pick up 2 is surrounded by a pick up housing 3 forming a chamber 4 having a predetermined cross-sectional area and a predetermined volume, which chamber 4 encloses the microphone pick up 2. The chamber 4 includes at least one sound passage opening 5, preferably a plurality of sound passage openings 5', 5' ', 5 ' ' ', each opening 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' provided with a wind noise reduction element 6. The number of wind noise reduction elements 6', 6' ', 6' ' ' can be any suitable number and is by no means limited to a particular number. The microphone pick up 2, the housing 3, the sound passage openings 5', 5' ', 5' ' ' and the noise reduction element 6', 6' ', 6' ' all together provide a directional microphone unit 10, which can be positioned in connection to a mouthpiece (not shown) provided in a front panel (not shown) of a portable electronic device (not shown). This is not shown in more detail since it is well known for a person skilled in the art of portable electronic devices.
    Now is referred also to Fig. 2. Preferably, the housing 3 has the shape of a cylinder, provided with a number of relatively large sound passage openings (holes) arranged in all directions, for instance extending in a longitudinally direction of a jacket surface 7. Preferably, there is also provided a sound passage 5 opening in a side surface 8.
    In a microphone unit 10 according to the invention, part of the air stream which includes wind-noise is interrupted or blocked by the mouthpiece (not shown), and part is able to pass through the sound passage openings 5, 5', 5" to enter the chamber 4. Because of the interaction bewteen chamber 4 volume, openings 5, 5', 5" and wind noise reduction element 6, the air particle velocity, forming the wind, is not easily able to enter the chamber and produce wind-noise in the microphone pick up unit.
    Now is referred to Fig. 3. The wind noise reduction element 6 could for instance comprise one single layer such as a mesh made of metal, or polymer material. The mesh can be of conventional type comprising wires 12 with openings 13. The mesh can also be made of textile fabrics such as cotton fabric or the like.
    Typically, the ratio between the chamber size and the density of the mesh is arranged to maintain a desired level of directionality from the microphone pick up unit. Similarly the cross-sectional area and volume of the chamber may be determined experimentally to achieve the desired reduction in wind-noise.
    Because the sensitivity of a microphone with respect to an air stream has, in general, a proportional relationship with the speed of the impinging air stream, it has been found that by decreasing the speed of the air stream as just described, wind-noise due to the air stream can be reduced to an almost negligible level. However, it has been found that the sound or speaking voice signal or sound wave is transmitted in a normal manner so that the reproduced speaking voice is not adversely affected.
    Accordingly, it is seen that the inventive microphone unit provides greatly reduced sensitivity to wind-noise, is non-expensive, since no electronics or software is required, and offer good overall frequency response characteristics. The microphone unit is small in size, typically two to three times the size of the miniature microphone capsule. The reduction can vary from 15-30 dB depending on the amount of directionality that must be maintained. More reduction implies less directionality.
    Although the invention has been described with reference to particular preferred embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

    Claims (11)

    1. Microphone unit (10) for mobile equipment, comprising a microphone pick up (2) located within a microphone pick up housing (3) forming a chamber (4), said housing (3) being provided with at least one sound passage opening (5) for receiving sound from a sound field external to said chamber (4), characterised in that said at least one sound passage opening (5) is provided with at least one wind noise reduction element (6).
    2. Mirophone unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein said wind noise reduction element (6) comprises a mesh having one layer.
    3. Microphone unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein said wind noise reduction element comprises a mesh having a plurality of layers.
    4. Microphone unit (10) according to any one of the claims 2-3, wherein the ratio between the chamber size and the density of the mesh is arranged to provide a directional microphone.
    5. Microphone unit (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the mesh is made of metal.
    6. Microphone unit (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the mesh is made of polymer material such as nylon.
    7. Microphone unit (10) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said housing (3) extending in a longitudinally direction is a cylinder having a shielding surface (7) and a side surface (8).
    8. Microphone unit (10) according to claim 7, wherein said sound passage opening is a hole extending in the longitudinally direction in said shielding surface (7).
    9. Microphone unit (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said sound passage opening is a hole in said side surface (8).
    10. Microphone unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said microphone unit (10) is directional.
    11. Microphone unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-9, wherein said microphone unit (10) is non-directional.
    EP04000594.4A 2003-06-06 2004-01-14 Wind noise reduction for microphone Expired - Lifetime EP1484940B1 (en)

    Priority Applications (6)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    EP04000594.4A EP1484940B1 (en) 2003-06-06 2004-01-14 Wind noise reduction for microphone
    TW093113756A TWI343754B (en) 2003-06-06 2004-05-14 Wind noise reduction for microphone
    US10/559,509 US7627132B2 (en) 2003-06-06 2004-05-25 Wind noise reduction for microphone
    CNA2004800157939A CN1802873A (en) 2003-06-06 2004-05-25 Mic wind noise reduction
    CN201410138077.5A CN103929689B (en) 2003-06-06 2004-05-25 A kind of microphone unit for mobile device
    PCT/EP2004/005605 WO2004112424A1 (en) 2003-06-06 2004-05-25 Wind noise reduction for microphone

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    EP03076938 2003-06-06
    EP03076938 2003-06-06
    EP04000594.4A EP1484940B1 (en) 2003-06-06 2004-01-14 Wind noise reduction for microphone

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1484940A2 true EP1484940A2 (en) 2004-12-08
    EP1484940A3 EP1484940A3 (en) 2009-12-02
    EP1484940B1 EP1484940B1 (en) 2015-03-04

    Family

    ID=33161010

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP04000594.4A Expired - Lifetime EP1484940B1 (en) 2003-06-06 2004-01-14 Wind noise reduction for microphone

    Country Status (2)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1484940B1 (en)
    TW (1) TWI343754B (en)

    Cited By (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CN108632694A (en) * 2018-08-16 2018-10-09 歌尔科技有限公司 A kind of electronic product for the microphone wind noise that decays

    Families Citing this family (1)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CN108540882A (en) * 2018-04-13 2018-09-14 深圳市创成微电子有限公司 A kind of microphone blowout prevention sound method and microphone

    Family Cites Families (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US2536261A (en) * 1947-12-20 1951-01-02 Rca Corp Microphone sound filter
    US4966252A (en) * 1989-08-28 1990-10-30 Drever Leslie C Microphone windscreen and method of fabricating the same
    TW274675B (en) * 1992-09-08 1996-04-21 Motorola Inc

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CN108632694A (en) * 2018-08-16 2018-10-09 歌尔科技有限公司 A kind of electronic product for the microphone wind noise that decays
    CN108632694B (en) * 2018-08-16 2024-04-02 歌尔科技有限公司 Electronic product capable of attenuating microphone noise

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    EP1484940B1 (en) 2015-03-04
    TWI343754B (en) 2011-06-11
    TW200509726A (en) 2005-03-01
    EP1484940A3 (en) 2009-12-02

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    US20070003090A1 (en) Wind noise reduction for microphone
    US5949896A (en) Earphone
    EP2095677B1 (en) Improved wind noise reduction barrier
    EP2025194B1 (en) Wind noise rejection apparatus
    KR20090110947A (en) Electronic acoustic transducer devices, transducer modules, cameras, portable communication devices, hearing aids and recording devices
    US10932036B2 (en) Speaker box includes auxiliary sound cavity used as resonator
    JPH08111705A (en) Transmitter
    CA1200308A (en) Directional microphone assembly
    KR102287938B1 (en) Mic mounting structure in headset
    JP2021168469A (en) Hearing device with printed circuit board assembly and output transducer
    US11206477B2 (en) Sound transducer structure of electronic device
    US20060034476A1 (en) Headset case arrangement for wind control
    GB2455300A (en) Accurate ambient noise sensing and reduction of wind noise
    EP1484940A2 (en) Wind noise reduction for microphone
    EP0852891B1 (en) Mounting arrangement for a noise cancelling microphone
    US11849276B2 (en) Throat headset system
    CN213305751U (en) Prevent wind microphone structure and earphone of making an uproar
    JPH0744750B2 (en) Microphone unit
    US20240348959A1 (en) Microphone device
    WO2025236242A1 (en) Earphone
    CN215121123U (en) Noise reduction earphone
    EP1872619B1 (en) Wind noise rejection apparatus
    JPH0774805A (en) Mobile phone

    Legal Events

    Date Code Title Description
    PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A2

    Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Extension state: AL LT LV MK

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 20050509

    PUAL Search report despatched

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A3

    Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Extension state: AL LT LV MK

    AKX Designation fees paid

    Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 20110509

    GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

    INTG Intention to grant announced

    Effective date: 20141009

    GRAS Grant fee paid

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: B1

    Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: EP

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: AT

    Ref legal event code: REF

    Ref document number: 714732

    Country of ref document: AT

    Kind code of ref document: T

    Effective date: 20150415

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R096

    Ref document number: 602004046711

    Country of ref document: DE

    Effective date: 20150416

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: NL

    Ref legal event code: T3

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: AT

    Ref legal event code: MK05

    Ref document number: 714732

    Country of ref document: AT

    Kind code of ref document: T

    Effective date: 20150304

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FI

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    Ref country code: SE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    Ref country code: ES

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150605

    Ref country code: AT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: PT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150706

    Ref country code: CZ

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    Ref country code: SK

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    Ref country code: EE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    Ref country code: RO

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R097

    Ref document number: 602004046711

    Country of ref document: DE

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

    STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

    Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DK

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    26N No opposition filed

    Effective date: 20151207

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: SI

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: BE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20160131

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: LU

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20160114

    Ref country code: BE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: PL

    GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

    Effective date: 20160114

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: MC

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: ST

    Effective date: 20160930

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: LI

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20160131

    Ref country code: CH

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20160131

    Ref country code: GB

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20160114

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: MM4A

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20160201

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20160114

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Payment date: 20170110

    Year of fee payment: 14

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Payment date: 20170110

    Year of fee payment: 14

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: HU

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

    Effective date: 20040114

    Ref country code: CY

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: TR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: BG

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20150304

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R119

    Ref document number: 602004046711

    Country of ref document: DE

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: NL

    Ref legal event code: MM

    Effective date: 20180201

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20180801

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20180201