GB2278744A

GB2278744A - Wireless microphone apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2278744A
Application number: GB9311440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Yiu-Cheng Li
Original assignee: GPE International Ltd
Current assignee: GPE International Ltd
Priority date: 1993-06-03
Filing date: 1993-06-03
Publication date: 1994-12-07
Also published as: GB9311440D0; TW333383U; CN2171186Y

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a primary module including a housing 1 within which are provided signal receiving means and means for recharging a microphone battery when the microphone 5 is stood in the base 4 of the housing. One or more sub module (6) (Fig. 2) can be connected to the primary module, each submodule including a further battery charging means whereby a further microphone can be stood and recharged by the sub-module. The primary and sub-modules may be both physically and electrically interconnected. The primary module 1 may have LEDs 21 to show status of respective microphones, eg. indicating red during recharging and green when a microphone is in use and a signal is being received. Transmission may be by infra-red or radio signals. The microphone may be used in a domestic karaoke system. <IMAGE>

Description

WIRELESS MICROPHONE APPARATUS This invention relates to a wireless microphone, and in particular, though not exclusively, to such a microphone suitable for use in a domestic karaoke system.

By the term "wireless microphone" is meant a microphone that transmits its output signal by means of infra-red or radio signals, and which is powered by a battery rather than a mains cable. The battery is usually either a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery.

In either case this provides only a limited period of operation before the battery must either be replaced or at least removed from the microphone and recharged. This is clearly inconvenient.

According to the present invention there is provided wireless microphone receiving apparatus comprising a housing, signal receiving means and microphone charging means provided within said housing, and means for releasably locating a microphone such that said microphone is in charging connection with said charging means when located.

By means of this arrangement the apparatus is formed with, in addition to the signal receiving means, a battery recharging means whereby the microphone battery may be recharged when the microphone is not in use. There is no requirement to provide a seperate battery recharger, or to remove the battery from the microphone to recharge it. Instead the recharger may bo provided within a single housing with the signal receiving means. The microphone itself may be formed with an integral rechargeable battery and the invention also extends to a wireless microphone provided with an integral rechargeable battery.

In a partlcularly preferred embodiment the apparatus may comprise a modular structure. That is to say the apparatus may comprise a primary module comprising the housing, signal receiving means and charging means as described above, and may further comprise means for connecting thereto at least one sub-module, each such sub-module comprising battery charging means and means for locating a microphone in charging connection with the charging means.

In this way a highly flexible apparatus may be provided in which the number of microphones can be selected at will, being limited only by the number of signal receiving channels available to the signal receiving means.

Preferably the charging means are provided with means for limiting the charging to prevent overcharging of the battery.

Preferably the connecting means will include means for both physically and electrically connecting the modules to each other.

Preferably the apparatus is provided with means for indicating the status of any microphone associated therewith* for example indicating whether the microphone is in use or is in a charging state. Such indicating means may, for example, comprise light emitting diodes a-EDs) provided on the housing. Such indicating means can preferably also indicate the status of microphoncs associated with sub-modules connected to a primary module on which the indicating means may be provided.

Viewed from a further aspect the invention also extends to wireless microphone apparatus comprising a housing, signal moving means and microphone charging means provided' within said housing, and a microphone releasably locatable such that said microphone is in charging connection with said charging means.

Viewed from another aspect the invention also provides wireless microphone receiving apparatus comprising, a primary module including signal receiving means and means for releasably locating a ,microphone, and at least one sub-module connectable therewith and including means for releasably locating a microphone.

An embodiment of.the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:* Pig. 1 its a front view of a primary module, Fig.2 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between the primary module and a sub-,module, and Fig.3 is a side view of a microphone received in a subimodule with portions shown in enlarged detail for clarity.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1 there is shown a primary module 1 of a wireless microphone unit. The module 1 comprises a housing within which are received means for receiving a signal from one or more microphones, and means for recharging the rechargeable battery that powers such a microphone. The signal receiving circuitry and the recharging circuitry will not be described in detail as they are conventional. The housing comprises a first substantially vertical portion 2 within which is located the signal receiving means. Extending from the housing 1 are a pair of adjustable aerials 3 for receiving the microphone signals.

As is best seen in Fig.2, the base portion 4 of the housing has a curved cross-section and extends to one side of the vertical portion 2. The base portion 4 is provided with a recessed hole in its upper surface for releasably locating a microphone 5. The microphone S can thus stand in the base portion 4 when not In use. As will be described further below a battery recharging means is provided within the base portion 4 so that when the microphone is stood in the base portion it is continually recharged In Pig. 1 the base portion 4, with its extension, and the vertical portion 2 are formed as an integral housing and may be considered to comprise a primary module. As is shown in Fig.2, to the other side of the vertical portion 2 opposite to the extension of the base portion 4 may be attached a sub-module 6 corresponding in shape to the extension of the base portion 4. The sub-module 6 may be joined to the primary module by means of a pair of lugs 7 that engage in corresponding recesses 8 in the primary .module. The sub-module also includes a release mechanism 9 and electrical connection means '10 which connect with corresponding means 10' on the primary module whereby the primary and sub-module are electrically as well as physically connected. The sub-module includes a microphone locating recess 11 corresponding to that of the primary module.

The microphone S is operated by a one-touch button 12. The button 12 includes an integral LBD'- which is illuminatcd when the button is pressed to switch on the microphone ready for use. As is shown in the lower detail of Fig.3 the microphone 5 is 'stood' by locating the bottom of the microphone S in the recess 11 until an annular ridge 13 formed around the microphone 5 engages the rim 14 of the recess 11. The lower end of the microphone 5 defines a chamber within which are provided the rechargeable battery 15 which contacts a controlling printed circuit board 16 via a spring 17. The underside of the printed circuit board 16 is formed with a recharge plate 18. The base of the recess 10 is provided with an aperture within which is located a recharge contact pin 19. When the microphone is stood in the recess 11, pin 19 is urged into contact with recharge plate 18 by means of spring 20. Contact pin 19 forms part of a conventional recharging circuit the remainder of which is not shown or described here.

The base of the microphone 5 may also include a retractable antenna (not shown) to facilitate the transmission of signals from the microphone to the signal receiving means.

Preferring once again to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the vertical portion 2 of the housing is provided with a series of status indicating LEDs 21. Different LEDs may be associated with respective microphones and may be ananged, for example, to illuminate red when a microphone is being recharged and green to indicate that a microphone is in use and that a signal is being received.

The abovedescrlbed embodiment is of a primary module and one sub-module and one sub-module which can be connected thereto, both physically and electrically. It will be appreciated, however, that other sub-modules could be added in a similar manner, the only limitation being the number of signal receiving channels available to the primary module.

Alternatively, a larger unit could be made by physically interconnecting a plurality of primary modules and associated sub-modules. All the modules would be physically interconnected, but electrical connections would be made only between a primary module and its respective sub-modules.

Althogh not described above, it will of course be appreciated that the various modules are provided with mains power inputs and signal outputs as required.

Claims

1. Wireless microphone receiving apparatus comprising a housing, signal receiving means and microphone charging means provided within said housing, and means for releasably locating a microphone such that said microphone is in charging connection with said charging means when located.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a primary module consisting of said housing, signal receiving means and said charging means, and. said primary module comprising means for connecting thereto at least one sub-moduIe, each such sub-module comprising a battery charging means and means for locating a microphone in connection therewith.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said connection means includes means for both physically and electrically interconnecting said primary module and said at least one sub-module.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1,2 and 3 wherein means are provided for indicating the operational status of a microphone.

5. Wireless microphone apparatus comprising a housing, signal receiving means and microphone charging means provided within said housing, and a microphone releasably locatable such that said microphone is in charging connection with said charging means when located.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein means are provided to prevent overcharging of the microphone.

7. Wireless microphone receiving apparatus comprising, a primary module including signal receiving means and means for releasably locating a microphone, and at least one submodule connectable therewith and including means for releasably locating a microphone.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim wherein said primary module and each said submodule each include a respective battery charging means whereby a microphone may be recharged while located by said locating means.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein means are provided to prevent overcharging of the microphone.

10. A wireless microphone comprising an integral rechargeable battery.

11. Wireless microphone receiving apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Wireless microphone apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13, A wireless microphone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.