Wireless, multi-user audio system

• US 20050153716A1
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maestro Electronics (BNP Paribas Asset Management France SAS), Revolabs, Inc. (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Revolabs, Inc. (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Bodley, Martin Reed
• Application Number:
  US11/032,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20050153716A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/463
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/406 microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A wireless audio system for a number of users. The system includes a base unit that is adapted to removably store, recharge and communicate with personal microphone modules. The system also includes a plurality of personal microphone modules that each are adapted to be removably coupled to a user'"'"'s clothing, and to communicate wirelessly with the base unit.

Claims

1. A wireless audio system for a number of users, comprising:

a base unit that is adapted to removably store, recharge and communicate with personal microphone modules (PMMs); and

a plurality of PMMs that each comprise a microphone and are adapted to be removably coupled to a user'"'"'s clothing, and to communicate wirelessly with the base unit.

2. The wireless audio system of claim 1, wherein each PMM further comprises a mutable microphone.

3. The wireless audio system of claim 2, wherein each PMM further comprises a microphone mute-status indicator.

4. The wireless audio system of claim 3, wherein the microphone mute-status indicator comprises an indicator light carried by the PMM.

5. The wireless audio system of claim 2, wherein each PMM further comprises a user-operable switch to control microphone muting.

6. The wireless audio system of claim 1, wherein a wireless link is automatically established between a PMM and the base unit when the PMM is removed from the base unit.

7. The wireless audio system of claim 6, wherein each PMM further comprises a mutable microphone, and wherein the microphone is automatically muted when the PMM is removed from the base unit.

8. The wireless audio system of claim 6, wherein the wireless link is automatically terminated when the PMM that had been removed from the base unit is returned to the base unit.

9. The wireless audio system of claim 1, wherein a PMM is uniquely registered with the base unit when the PMM is placed into the base unit.

10. The wireless audio system of claim 1, wherein a PMM is inactivated once it has been inactive for a predetermined time period.

11. The wireless audio system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time period is user-adjustable.

12. The wireless audio system of claim 1, wherein a PMM is inactivated once it leaves an active distance range from the base unit.

13. The wireless audio system of claim 12, wherein the active distance range is user-adjustable.

14. The wireless audio system of claim 13, wherein the base unit further comprises a user-operable active distance range adjustment.

15. The wireless audio system of claim 12, wherein an inactivated PMM is reactivated once it is returned to within the active distance range of the base unit.

16. The wireless audio system of claim 12, wherein the PMM provides a human-perceptible indicator when it leaves the active distance range.

17. The wireless audio system of claim 1, wherein the base unit further comprises a user-operable switch that is operable to mute all PMMs.

18. The wireless audio system of claim 17, wherein the PMM muting is accomplished by blocking the signals from the PMMs.

19. The wireless audio system of claim 9, wherein the base unit further comprises a user-operable switch that is operable to clear the registration of all PMMs registered with the base unit.

20. The wireless audio system of claim 1, further comprising a video system comprising a motorized camera, six degree of freedom motion sensing equipment carried on a user'"'"'s person, and a device for moving the camera in response to the user'"'"'s location, to capture the user'"'"'s image with the camera.

21. A wireless audio system for a number of users, comprising:

a base unit that is adapted to removably store, recharge and communicate with personal microphone modules (PMMs); and

a plurality of PMMs that each comprise a mutable microphone and a microphone mute-status indicator, and are adapted to be removably coupled to a user'"'"'s clothing, and to communicate wirelessly with the base unit;

wherein a wireless link is automatically established between a PMM and the base unit, and the PMM microphone is automatically muted, when the PMM is removed from the base unit.