WO1998018290A1

WO1998018290A1 - Multimedia microphone power supply apparatus having audio port extenders with a headset and/or speakers controller

Info

Publication number: WO1998018290A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/019446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Andrea
Original assignee: Andrea Electronics Corporation
Priority date: 1996-10-21
Filing date: 1997-10-20
Publication date: 1998-04-30
Also published as: AU4919997A

Abstract

A portable multimedia power supply apparatus (8) for use with computer audio applications comprising a housing (9) having a plurality of female or male interface connectors (13, 15) adaptable to receive and transmitting audio signals from the computer; a power source installed within the apparatus for driving a signal means; at least one audio input means (22A) located on the housing for use with the computer applications; optionally a speaker means located on the housing (9); electrical adaptor means for connecting to or receiving a connection from a sound card means of the computer (21); optionally a switch means (24) located on the housing (9) that provides a computer audio signal solely at the headset input means, or at the headset input means and the speaker means simultaneously; and optionally a headset volume control means (25) located on the housing (9) to adjust the computer audio signal transmitted from the apparatus (8).

Description

MULTIMEDIA MICROPHONE POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS

HAVING AUDIO PORT EXTENDERS WITH A HEADSET

AND/OR SPEAKERS CONTROLLER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel multimedia microphone power supply apparatus for use in connection with any type of sound cards used in computer applications and, more particularly, to an audio control box that functions as a battery power provider for supplying a universal microphone signal in any type of headset or speaker system to any computer sound card for audio transmission. This novel multimedia universal microphone power supply means also provides a volume controller for a headset or a speaker system to adjust the volume of audio transmitted from the. computer or to the headset by electronic connecting means, which cable connections are supplied on the portable power supply apparatus. Furthermore, the universal microphone power supply apparatus provides a multimedia switch to allow the user to either utilize any type of headset or speaker system or operate both systems simultaneously. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is to be appreciated, in the age of cyberspace, many different types of computers are configured with various hardware and software requirements. With many software applications including speech-driven applications or voice-recognition operations, there exist an increasing need to interface a computer with external audio devices. To utilize many of these applications available in most computers, computer accessories or audio products, such as headsets, boom microphones, handsets, joysticks or musical interfaces must be purchased by the computer user. A primary concern for the computer purchaser is whether the accessory will be compatible to the hardware and software configurations or if converters or adaptors are necessary. That is, in conventional multimedia and speech-recognition applications, the correct amount of voltage required to power the microphones located in the headset or speaker system varies internally. It is standard in the art to power microphones used in speech- driven computer applications internally with "phantom power" with the speakers or headsets undergoing a calibration process by computing thresholds, which compensates variations in the hardware circuitry. Such a calibration process often involves complex data processing.

With every type of audio products utilizing various types of software, different hardware or wire configurations are required. Standard electret microphones located in the headset and other external peripheral equipment need to be reconfigure to execute multimedia speech driven functions. Often, an adaptor or converter is necessary to supply the uniform power to the microphones in the headsets or other peripheral equipment to send the appropriate signal to the sound card or audio adapter card of the computer. As a result of the different wire configurations, a mechanical limitation exists in achieving a uniform signal supply to the microphone. The power transmitted to drive the microphone is never the same, which causes possible sound distortion when using a headset or the like powered internally by "phantom power" within the computer for operating various types of sound cards or audio adapters, such Sound Blaster from Creative Labs, Inc. of California or audio adapter cards from Mediavison of California, or dynamic or electret sound cards.

For instance, an ANC-500 Computer Headset available from Andrea Electronics Corporation is compatible to a standard IBM sound cards. However, a converter plug is required to use the ANC-500 with sound cards other than from IBM. When utilizing other sound cards, if the MIC interface is less than 2.5 volts, an aux power supply is required. This example reveals the additional peripheral equipment and added expense the user must undertake to utilize such external audio products. Another disadvantage associated with external audio products, such as analog speakerphones, is that they are difficult to internally calibrate, or require precision voltage references to assure consistent operation. For instance, a critical calibration value that relies on the stability of two different power supplies in the speakerphone, will eventually resulted in one or the other power supply drifting enough to effect the performance of the speakerphone. The same holds true headsets. However, in utilizing microphones in any computer audio applications, one variable remains constant. The audio output signal is always received on the tip or ring of the stereo connector or jack means that is inserted into the sound cards located on or within the computer. In addition, as the different type of connections to sound cards increases in this advanced computer technology age, the interface connections for receiving such external device connectors are constrained by the limited mechanical space available on the back of computer adapter cards or sound cards.

Thus, the prior art has failed to provide a relatively low-cost means to ensure an universal interface between the multimedia equipment and the sound cards of the computer to receive and process signals from CD-ROM synthesizer, general audio, microphone signals, sampled sound, and other telephony systems to convey accurate audio transmission by providing an external universal microphone supply box. The prior art has further failed to provide a universal microphone signal supply apparatus that adapts various types of connections to audio adapter cards without utilizing the constrained space on the back of compatible computers. The advantage of this external supply box is that it provides a constant power voltage to drive any microphone signal output to the tip of the stereo connector to execute speech-recognition applications. A major advantage of the present invention over the prior art is that any headset, speaker system or other multimedia equipment that utilizes the present invention will be compatible to any type of computer having varying sound cards without the need to purchase further convertor means. It is not known in the prior art to provide a portable battery operated multimedia supply apparatus to supply a uniform signal to power any electret microphone either in an headset or speaker system, regardless of the manufacturer, for utilization with computers having multimedia uses. It is also not known to provide a switch means on the apparatus of the present invention to allow the user to operate the headset or speaker functions with a volume controller for receiving and controlling the volume of a plurality of input signals, in a convenient portable supply box readily adaptable to receive the multimedia cables connections. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable battery operated multimedia power supply apparatus for supplying a universal microphone signal for use in all multimedia computer applications which overcomes the problems associated with the prior art. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multimedia power supply apparatus having an eternal audio port interface connections for receiving computer cable connections for executing sound means, which provides ease in assembling the audio devices.

More specifically, it is object of the present invention to provide a universal microphone signal to use with any multimedia headset or speaker used in connection with any sound card means installed within the computer which is relatively inexpensive.

It is still an object of the present invention to provide a relatively low-cost noise multimedia power supply apparatus that provides a headset/speaker switch to allow the user to activate either the headset or speakers or both for computer audio transmission, which is operable with standard battery operated power. Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively low-cost multimedia power supply apparatus that provides a convenient volume controller, including an off position, to manually adjust the audio output signal from the computer to the headset or multimedia speakers or both that is compatible to existing computer sound cards.

An aspect of this invention is to provide a user friendly power supply apparatus that increases the flexibility of multimedia applications for use with a wide variety of computers and to increase the convenience of the set-up for the computer user. The multimedia power supply apparatus has a headset/speaker switch, headset volume control (zero/maximum ranges) , an on/off power switch, a power indicator, a headset input interface connector, a low battery indicator, a microphone input interface connector, a multimedia speaker input connector, microphone adaptor having a microphone in jack and audio out jack, an AC power interface connector. The portable multimedia power supply apparatus for universally configuring multimedia computer sound applications comprising: a housing having a plurality of female or male interface connectors adaptable to receive male or female hardware connections for receiving and transmitting audio signals from the computer; a power source installed within the apparatus for driving a signal means; at least one audio input means located on the housing for use with the computer applications; optionally a speaker means located on the housing; electrical adaptor means for connecting to or receiving a connection from a sound card means of the computer; optionally a switch means located on the housing that provides a computer audio signal solely at the headset input means, or at the headset input means and the speaker means simultaneously; and optionally a headset volume control means located on the housing to adjust the computer audio signal transmitted from the apparatus. The power source is preferably a battery operated power source having a power switch located on the housing.

Other objects, features and advantages according to the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which corresponding components are identified by the same reference numerals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a plan view of the multimedia power supply apparatus showing interface cable connectors for external audio devices, such as for a headset, according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is alternative perspective plan view of the multimedia power supply of Fig. 1 showing interface connections for multimedia speakers and sound card applications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a multimedia microphone power supply apparatus 8 having audio port extenders 10 with a headset and/or speakers controller 14 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the multimedia microphone power supply apparatus 8 has a housing 9 with a first end 11, a second end 12, a first side panel 18, and a second side panel 17. The housing 9 can be comprised preferably of injected molded plastic material containing electrically conductive material or of a metal sheet material or the like. The first end 11 of the housing 9 of the apparatus

8 has female interface connector members 13, 15, which are adapted to receive male cable connections from the headsets (not shown) or other multimedia devices. The female members 13, 15 at the first end 11 of the housing

9 are comprised of a headset input interface 13 and a microphone input interface 15. The microphone interface 15 is adaptable to any electret type microphone. The multimedia microphone signal or power supply apparatus 8 of the present invention supplies the correct voltage (bias) , and pull up resistor, to power any electret type microphone. In addition, the apparatus 8 shown in Fig. 1 will operate into all sound cards (universal operation) commercially available, such as

Sound Blaster, IBM Soundcard or the like, with the output audio signal contained on the TIP of the stereo connector 22B.

A boom microphone headset (not shown) inserted into headset input interface 11 can provide for computer voice recognition. Such a headset utilized with the apparatus 8 of the present invention provides superior rejection of unwanted background noise and excellent voice response. With the universal microphone interface (Figs. 1-2) of the present invention, any boom microphone headset is automatically configured to be compatible with all Sound Blaster™ audio cards, IBM Soundcards, dynamic soundcards, electret soundcards, and all other audio card interfaces are also automatically accommodated. In Fig. 1, the apparatus is operated by a battery source (not shown) . A low battery indicator light 16 is provided on the first end 11 of the apparatus 8 to notify the computer user that the battery is low and needs to be recharged. in Fig. 2, an alternative view of the microphone power supply apparatus 8 shows the second end 12 of the housing 9 having also at least two female interface connections 19, 23, with electrical connecting means 21 to the sound card. The female interface member 19 is adaptable to receive the multimedia speakers means (not shown) for use in listening to music from the CD-ROM device of the computer hard drive. The second end 12 of the housing 9 provides the electrical connecting adaptor means 21 that protrude from the housing as illustrated in Fig. 2. The adaptor means 21 is comprised of at least two plugs or jacks 22A, 22B, which are compatible to any sound or audio connector means of the computer. The first plug 22A is the jack for the microphone input, while the second plug 22B is the jack for the audio out signal received on the sound card or audio adapter cards for multimedia applications in connection with the operation of the computer software.

To connect the electrical means 21 to the sound card, the user simply inserts the miniature plug 22A into the microphone input jack of the sound card (not shown) and the miniature plug 22B into the audio out jack of the sound card (not shown) . The inventive boom microphone headset either is then placed on the head of a user or the speakers are activated or both options are utilized at the same time.

At the second end 12 of the housing 9, the AC power outlet interface 23, which overrides the battery once the AC power cable is plugged into the apparatus 8, is located as shown in Fig. 2. That is, when a user is near an AC power outlet, the a an electrical plug is inserted into the AC outlet with the male connection inserted into the interface 23, which activates AC power and disables the battery operated power.

The convenience of a battery operated microphone power supply of the present invention is that a lap-top computer having multimedia applications can be utilized, when on an airplane, train, or other places remote from AC power. The user, as a result of the present invention, is able to turn on the remote power supply, plug in the headset and microphone jack, which will be supplied with a universally signal to power the microphone for retrieving the audio output signal from the tip of the connector of the sound card. The apparatus also provides multimedia audio port extenders 10 and controller for headset and/or speakers 24, 25 as illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2. On the first side panel 18 of the housing 9 of the apparatus 8 is located a switch means 24 that electrically connects to the headset input means and the speaker means. In addition, a headset volume control means 25 located on the first side panel 18 is for receiving and controlling the volume of a signal or plurality of analog input signals received form the computer. The volume controller 25 is used to adjust the computer audio signal transmitted to the ear of a user from a maximum audio level to shutting off the volume entirely. In Fig. 1, a power indicator light 27 is provided to notify the user when the apparatus of the present invention is activated. The multi media audio port extender and controller 25 for use with the headset and speakers controls the audio output signals from the computer, sending the signals to the headset (not shown) with volume control 25, including off, and to the multimedia speakers (not shown) through a switch control 24. The switch control 24 provides the user with the following conditions: multimedia switch 24 in the headset position sends the computer audio to the headset speakers only (with full volume control) , including a volume off position 24; or the multimedia switch 24 in the speaker position sends the computer audio to the headset with full volume control (including an off position) , and also to the multimedia speakers. This switch position 24 in the speaker mode allows the computer audio signal to be transmitted to the speaker and headset simultaneously with the option of disabling the headset by shutting off the volume control feature. Alternatively, the audio port extenders can located on either ends 11, ₁₂ o_f the housing 9 of the apparatus 8 or can be located on either side panels 17, 18. Likewise, the controller 25 and the headset/speaker switch 24 can be located on either side panel 17, 18 of the housing 9 or can be located on the first or second ends 11, 12 of the housing 9 of the apparatus 8.

The signals from the headset input interface 11 and microphone input interface 15 can preferably be connected to the circuitry contained on the circuit board assembly (not shown) that consist of amplifiers to amplify the electrical signal before being transmitted to speech that reaches the listener's ears. Such circuits enable external calibration processing to be performed on the any type of microphone, preferably a noise canceling microphone, which is most preferably a pressure gradient microphone.

The circuit board may contain additional circuit elements for processing the signals received from a preferred noise canceling microphone inserted into the input interface 15 and for amplifying signals for supply to the speaker as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/339,126 filed November 14, 1994 (PCT No. US95/14756 filed November 14, 1995) and U.S. Patent Application No. 08/485,047 filed June 7, 1995, which have a common assignee with the present application, and both applications which are incorporated by reference herein.

With the present invention, a universal interface with a boom microphone headset, speaker systems or other peripheral computer accessories is created that is coupled with the latest in high quality voice recognition software advances computer control with voice to a reliability and user friendliness level equal to the keyboard and mouse. With the present invention, audio driven applications or voice recognition is no longer confined to offices, but can be used in environments that is remote from AC power, such as airplanes, trains, buses, court rooms, classrooms, meeting halls, or noisy areas. Thus, the making external audio port devices adaptable to any computer. This is because the universal microphone signal supply of the present invention can interface with any type of computers, telephones or other sound equipment anywhere because of the battery operated function and the ability to externally create a constant and uniform power supply for the microphones for use in various voice recognition applications.

The present invention is not so limited to headsets or speakers, but can be used with numerous other computer accessories for computer audio transmission, such as noise cancellation earsets described in U.S. Patent Application No. 08/535,353 filed on October 23,1995, which has common assignee with the present application, and the application is incorporated by reference herein.

The universal microphone signal supply apparatus described above is simple in construction, lightweight and portable, enabling it to be used with maximum convenience and ease for the user in assembling the necessary cable connections to and from the computer. Thus, it is seen that the present invention provides a low-cost battery operated universal power supply to microphones utilized in any headset for communication with all sound cards for accurate audio applications. The present invention increases the system flexibility and by the new location of the cable connections, the length of the cable use is increased. In addition, the placement of the cable connections in front of the computer and not in back of the computer as shown by the prior art, provides easy access for assembling the multimedia applications and alleviates the room constraint on the back of today's computers. In reality, the selection of the audio output port has been extended to the selection of a switch position, i.e. multimedia speakers or headset speakers.

As is to be appreciated, by using the above- described devices and materials for transmitting universal external power to the microphones for conveying to the tip of the sound card jack or stereo connector without the need for reconfiguring the headset or utilizing a converter, the user can count on an overall savings with minimal cost associated with constructing such apparatus. Further, the microphone external signal supply is kept relatively uniform for any type of sound card for computer audio applications. As a result, the user is availed the option of using a battery chargeable signal supply or AC driven power for use in connection with a headset or speaker system without the necessity of additional hardware.

Furthermore, although preferred embodiments of the present invention and modifications thereof have been _described in detail herein, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and modifications, and that other modifications and variations may be affected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED ISt

1. A portable multimedia power supply apparatus for use with computer audio applications comprising: a housing having a plurality of female or male interface connectors adaptable to receive male or female hardware connections for receiving and transmitting audio signals from the computer; a power source installed within the apparatus for driving a signal means; at least one audio input means located on the housing for use with the computer applications; optionally a speaker means located on the housing; electrical adaptor means for connecting to or receiving a connection from a sound card means of the computer; optionally a switch means located on the housing that provides a computer audio signal solely at the headset input means, or at the headset input means and the speaker means simultaneously; and optionally a headset volume control means located on the housing to adjust the computer audio signal transmitted from the apparatus.

2. The portable multimedia power supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery operated source.

3. The portable multimedia power supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein a power switch is located on the housing.