MXPA00006924A - Method and arrangement for voice communications - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method and an arrangement for connecting a microphone requiring a bias voltage to an audio device for establishing voice signal communications therebetween, wherein the interface comprises several inputs for the microphone. The inventive method comprises steps of supplying a biasing voltage to the microphone through at least one of said several inputs for the microphone such that the biasing voltage is conducted through a diode which is disposed on a respective one of the conduits from said inputs, and transmitting the voice signal from the microphone to the audio device through another input of said several inputs.

Description

"METHOD AND DISPOSITION FOR VOICE COMMUNICATIONS" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods for voice communications between a microphone and an audio device, such as a sound card of a data processing device. The invention also relates to arrangements for obtaining voice communications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Several different microphones are well known to the skilled person. In general, microphones are used to receive sound, such as speech, and to translate and transmit sound in addition to an audio device using and / or processing the received sound. The audio device can be understood as being any device that uses microphones to receive sound. An example of these are the different tape or digital recording devices, and another example are the so-called sound cards used in the processing devices to process the sound.

It is also known in advance to use a data processing device, such as a microcomputer such as a Personal Computer (PC) or a workstation, when a call is established through a communication network to another party or when it is received. a call from another party, or when a so-called conference call or group call involving more than two parties. This kind of voice communications can be arranged to be achieved through an Internet connection or a similar network arrangement by providing an existing communications protocol (TCP / IP on the Internet), by means of which the data is spoken or Conversation can be transmitted in a digital form, that is, in such a way that it is converted from an analog form to a digital form. In case of using the Internet, this kind of communication arrangement is sometimes referred to as an "Internet Call" or an "Internet Phone". Said Internet Telephones have made it possible e.g., to establish an international call to the marginal costs of a local call. The expert person is familiar with the Internet itself and the communications networks in general, and therefore they explain us in more detail here than mentioning that the Internet is a global open communications network that connects a large number of area networks local, such as the networks of several companies, universities and other organizations • using a transfer-free, packet-switched connection. These networks, in turn, can be used through a large number of workstations and / or independent computer devices. An individual user can have a direct connection to these local area networks or the individual user can connect to them through a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) or an ISDN (Integrated Digital Services Network) connection using modems or similar devices that provide the access route to the area networks. The two most frequently used communication protocols for the Internet are the TCP and IP protocols (Transport Control Protocol and Internet Protocol, respectively). The use of the Internet has been growing rapidly and steadily, and therefore it is to be expected that the use of Internet Telephones will also rise. Currently, the function of the Internet Phone is based on the so-called Internet Developer Chat (IRC), which is best described as a multiple-channel chat network of multiple users. Currently, the IRC used is based on servers that are specifically designed for text communications, but it is to be expected that IRC servers specifically designed for the use of the Internet telephone will soon become a reality. These have a tendency to improve the quality of the Internet call by providing greater validity and improved access to services. There is more than one tendency that the introduction of these and other possible network devices that allow the transmission of the voice through the IP network make the Internet Phones even more lucrative. To train communications in a network by means of the data processing device connected in the same, the sound has to be received first by a microphone, from where it has to be transmitted to the data processing device, where it is then processed appropriately and converted into digitized form by means of the so-called sound card implemented in the computer. An example of an implementation is the so-called LaPhone ™. In this, a client program running on Windo s95 ™ uses the computer's sound card to digitize the conversation or speaks and sends over a LAN (Local Area Network) to a path computer that provides the interface to the current POTS (Simple Old Telephone System) or other appropriate public telecommunications network. In principle, there are several sound cards that might be appropriate for use with the LanP one ™, if an interface could be provided to a normal telephone set. Current devices use condenser microphones that require a bias voltage between 1 to 11 volts to work properly. The use of different types of sound cards has proven to be a problem since the implementation of the microphone interface differs from different types of cards. Currently there are two known microphone interface configurations, which are implemented using a 3.5 mm stereo plug. These two types of connection can be described, e.g., as follows: Version A: Body - >; Central Earth - > Polarization Voltage of 5 V Tip - > Signal Mic. Version B: Body - > Central Earth - > Signal Mic. Tip - > 5 V bias voltage Both types mentioned above can be used, if the connection between the sound card and the device is able to switch the signal correctly on the basis of the used sound card. The inputs of the computer microphone, in turn, are usually intended and are specified for dynamic microphones only that do not require any internal bias voltage and operating voltage of an amplifier. Some of the sound cards however, are supplying at least some kind of direct voltage for this object. However, there is still no rule that defines the pin from which (e.g., the Center of the Tip) the polarization voltage supply could be achieved. In accordance with conventional solutions, the correct pin or type of connection has to be selected by carrying out a test by means of the DIP switches (Dual-In-Line Package switches). For example, the present interface electronics used by the LanPhone ™ system between the apparatus and the sound card uses four DIP switches to allow the same adapter of the apparatus to be used with different types of sound cards.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The problem with the present solution is related to the difficulty to combine and assemble non-standardized audio devices, such as sound cards, and different kinds of microphones. This causes great difficulties when the microphone is installed, and even makes it impossible for those who are not particularly familiar and "versed" with computer technology or electronics in general. In case the connections are made incorrectly, the microphone will not work or work improperly / incorrectly, since the bias voltage is incorrectly connected. The version currently used, eg, in LanPhone ™ is not optimal because it requires the user or the person installing the application to know the exact type and brand of the sound card and then also know how to configure the DIP switches correspondingly It is clear that this kind of knowledge requirement efficiently prevents and even frightens the potential users of this talk or speech transmission using the dispositions of the data processing device and the open data communication networks. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of prior art solutions and to provide a new type of solution for connecting a microphone with a device to audio, such as a sound card of a video processing device. data A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and an arrangement by means of which the user is freed from making any of the interface configurations between the microphone and a used audio device. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and an arrangement in which the same microphone can be used in relation to the different audio devices or sound cards. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be presented in the following part of the specification, which is accompanied by the accompanying drawings. The objects are obtained by a method of connecting a microphone that requires a bias voltage with an audio device to establish voice signal communications between them, wherein the interface comprises several inputs for the microphone. The method comprises the steps of supplying a polarization voltage to the microphone through at least one input of the different inputs for the microphone in such a way that the bias voltage is conducted through a diode placed in the respective conduit from at least one input, and transmit the voice signal from the microphone to the audio device through another input of the various inputs. According to an alternative embodiment, the invention provides a method for connecting a microphone with a sound card of a data processing device connected to a communication network to establish a voice signal communication between the microphone and the sound card and in this way the subsequent communications that transmit the voice between a user of the microphone and -other part connected to the communication network, wherein the connection between the sound card and the microphone comprises several inputs for the microphone. The method comprises the steps of supplying a bias voltage to the microphone from the sound card through at least one of the various inputs to the microphone such that the bias voltage is conducted through a diode placed in a respective conduit from at least one input, and of transmitting the voice signal from the microphone to the sound card through another input of the different inputs. The invention further provides an arrangement for interconnecting a microphone that requires a bias voltage with an audio device, in order to establish voice signal communications between them. The interface comprises several inputs for the microphone, a polarization voltage to the microphone being conducted through at least one of the different inputs for the microphone. At least one diode is placed in each one - lu ¬ of the conduits from the inputs in such a way that the bias voltage is conducted through at least one diode, the arrangement being such that the speech signal is transmitted from the microphone to the audio device through another input of the different inputs, than the one that leads to the polarization voltage. According to an alternative the invention provides an arrangement for interconnecting a microphone with a sound card of a data processing device connected to a communication network to establish voice signal communications between them and in this way subsequent communications that transmit the voice between the user of the microphone and another part connected to the communication network. The interface comprises several inputs for the microphone, the polarization voltage to the microphone being conducted through at least one of the different inputs for the microphone. At least one diode is placed for each of the conduits from the inputs in such a way that the bias voltage is conducted through the diode, and the voice signal is transmitted from the microphone to the sound card through another input to the different inputs that leads to the polarization voltage.

Several advantages are obtained by means of the present invention, since the solution provides a simple, reliable and controllable way to install a microphone in a data processing device. The solution frees the user from doing any of the complicated configurations other than just "plugging" the connecting cord into the data processing device or some other audio device. Therefore, it will greatly improve the lucrative status of initiating the use of network telephones such as Internet Telephones or any of the other audio devices that require an external microphone. The arrangement of the invention provides a simple design for the interface, which is more reliable than conventional mechanical switches. In the following the present invention and the other objects and advantages thereof will be described through examples with reference to the attached drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 discloses a solution of the prior art; and Figure 2 discloses an arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic presentation of a prior art microphone interface arrangement, using conventional DIP switches 10 and including a resistor R and a capacitor C between the microphone 1 and the input (and output) pins. The user has to configure, that is, to switch the DIP switch in a correct manner in order to provide a correct connection that corresponds to either version A or version B that is described before the time of microphone installation. The configuration depends on the type of sound card used. The sound card defines which of the input pins (entil or ent # 2) or the output pins (salt # 2 or salt # l) if it is to be used and for what purpose. Figure 2 discloses a circuit that solves the problem that related to the required separate configuration of an appliance adapter, such as the prior art DIP switch of Figure 1, each time when it is installed in a new device . The adapter circuit 2 is such that it automatically adapts to two alternative connections, that is, the versions A and B described above, by directing the supply voltage to the microphone through diodes of such that can be supplied through any of the two microphone input pins. In accordance with this embodiment, the circuit 2 comprises a resistor R connected to the conduit from the microphone 1 to the input pins. The circuit further comprises two capacitors connected in parallel Cl and C2 in order to provide in any case a circuit with at least one resistor and a capacitor. further, two diodes DI and D2 are connected in parallel between the resistance R in the conduit and the respective input pins (output). The arrangement is such that the parallel capacitors Cl and C2 are connected in the conduit between the microphone 1 and the resistor R and between the diodes Di and D2 and the input pins (output), respectively. The ground connection of the microphone and the current device is placed in a manner known per se. It should be noted that the number of capacitors and resistors can be greater than what is shown in Figure 2. If several capacitors or resistors are used, they can be connected in parallel or in series in an appropriate manner. In operation, the connection of the new type passive circuit of Figure 2 functions as follows when used in the two different connection types described A and B. The connection required in relation to a sound card that requires a connection of type A will be described first. It is assumed that Ent # 1 carries the bias voltage and therefore Ent # 2 is used for the microphone return signal, that is, to carry the speech signal. In this case, the diode Di will be in the conductive state and will therefore provide the necessary bias voltage for the microphone 1, e.g., a voltage of 5V. The sound that leads to the microphone will cause the microphone impedance to vary and in this way a small variable AC current can be seen in the R resistor causing a small AC voltage drop through the R resistance. The AC signal is connected to the Ent # 2 through C2 and then detected by the used sound card. The sound card will then process the second sound in order to convert it to be appropriate for transmission through the used network. In case B it is assumed that Ent # 2 is the one that carries the polarization voltage and therefore the Ent # l is used for the return signal of the microphone, that is, to carry the speech signal. In this case, the diode D2 will be that which is in a conductive state and therefore provides the necessary bias voltage for the microphone 1. As in case A, the sound arriving at the microphone will cause the impedance of the microphone to vary and therefore, a small variable AC current of resistor R can be seen causing a small AC voltage drop across resistor R. The AC signal is now connected to the Ent # through Cl and is then detected by the sound card used. The device of adapter 2 of Figure 2 has been approved with the following sound cards: SoundBlaster ™ and GravisUltrasound ™. During testing, the adapter was found to be properly worked, and to provide the benefits described above. In this way, the invention provides an apparatus and method by means of which a significant improvement can be achieved, eg, in the telecommunications area, and more precisely when a microphone is connected with a data processing device or certain other audio device. The arrangement according to the present invention is easy and inexpensive to obtain by means of components known per se and reliable during use. However, it should be noted that the above example of the invention is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. All modalities, modifications and additional applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, therefore they are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (12)

1. The method of connecting a microphone that requires a bias voltage with an audio device to establish the voice signal communications between them, where the interface comprises several inputs for the microphone, the method comprises the steps of: supplying a Polarization voltage to the microphone through at least one input of the different inputs to the microphone such that the bias voltage is conducted through a diode in a respective conduit from at least one input; and transmitting the voice signal from the microphone to the audio device through another input of the various inputs.

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface comprises two input pins, and that the method comprises supplying the bias voltage through the first of the input pins and transferring the voice signal back through from the other of the two entry pins.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a step to provide a capacitor connected in parallel with each of the diodes in each conduit.

4. A method according to any of the preceding claims for connecting a microphone, characterized in that the correct inputs are automatically selected by the adapter circuit during the installation of the interface in such a way that there are no requirements for the user to have any knowledge about of the different parameters of the interface.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims for connecting a microphone, characterized in that the audio device is # a sound card.

6. The method for connecting a microphone with a sound card of a data processing device connected to a communication network to establish a voice signal communication between the microphone and the sound card and in this way subsequent communications to transmit the voice between the user of the microphone and another part connected to the communication network, wherein the connection between the sound card and the microphone comprises several inputs for the microphone, the method comprising the steps of: supplying a polarization voltage to the microphone from the sound card through at least one of the various inputs to the microphone such that the bias voltage is conducted through a diode placed in a respective conduit from at least one input; and transmit the voice signal from the microphone to the sound card through another input of the various inputs. 1 .

An arrangement for interconnecting a microphone that requires a bias voltage with an audio device in order to establish the voice signal communications between them, wherein the interface comprises several inputs for the microphone, a bias voltage towards the microphone is leads through at least one of the different inputs for the microphone, at least one diode is placed in each of the conduits from the inputs in such a way that the bias voltage is conducted through at least one diode , and the voice signal is processed from the microphone to the audio device through another input of the different inputs than that which leads the bias voltage.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the audio device is a sound card.

9. An arrangement for interconnecting a microphone with a sound card of a data processing device connected to a communication network to establish the voice signal communications between them and in this way the subsequent communications transmit the voice between the user of the microphone and another part connected to the communications network, wherein the interface comprises several inputs for the microphone, a polarization voltage to the microphone is conducted through at least one of the different inputs for the microphone, at least one diode is placed in each of the condits from the inputs in such a way that the bias voltage is conducted through the diode, and the speech signal is transmitted from the microphone to the sound card through another input of the different inputs that leads to the bias voltage.

10. An arrangement according to claim 7 or 8 or 9, characterized in that the interface comprises two input pins, the arrangement is such that the bias voltage is supplied through one of the input pins and the voice signal back is transferred through another of the two entry pins.

11. An arrangement according to any of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that a capacitor is connected in parallel to each of the diodes.

12. An arrangement according to any of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the adapter circuit is placed to automatically select the correct inputs during the installation of the interface in such a way that there are no requirements for the user to have any knowledge near the different parameters of the interface.