Voice input in a multimedia console environment
First Claim
1. A microphone module for use with an on-line or networked application of a multimedia console system used primarily for executing games and other multimedia applications, the microphone module including:
- at least one microphone element for receiving voice input from at least one user of the multimedia console system, said at least one microphone element operating without requiring explicit action from the at least one user; and
an interface to a peripheral of a multimedia console of the multimedia console system for communicating the voice input to the multimedia console via the peripheral.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for enabling a microphone module that connects to a headset jack on a game controller. The microphone may include directional or omni-directional microphone element(s) that pick up voice input from people near a peripheral, such as a game controller, but reject background sounds from the room. User controls may also be available to set the microphone gain level, either manually or automatically, and/or to mute or unmute the microphone. The microphone of the invention can be used on a wired or wireless game controller. When used with a wireless game controller, wireless microphone capabilities and freedom of movement are provided without headdress requirements imposed by headsets.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A microphone module for use with an on-line or networked application of a multimedia console system used primarily for executing games and other multimedia applications, the microphone module including:
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at least one microphone element for receiving voice input from at least one user of the multimedia console system, said at least one microphone element operating without requiring explicit action from the at least one user; and
an interface to a peripheral of a multimedia console of the multimedia console system for communicating the voice input to the multimedia console via the peripheral. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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19. A peripheral for use with an on-line or networked application of a multimedia console used primarily for executing games and other multimedia applications in a multimedia console system, wherein one of (A) the peripheral includes a microphone module and (B) the peripheral includes an interface for communicative coupling to a microphone module,
wherein the microphone module includes at least one microphone element for receiving voice input from a user of the networked multimedia console, said at least one microphone element operating so that the user is able to simultaneously send the voice input to another user of the multimedia console system and receive voice output from another user of the multimedia console system.
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21. A microphone module for use with an on-line or networked application of a multimedia console system used primarily for executing games and other multimedia applications, the microphone module including:
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at least one microphone element for receiving voice input from at least one user of the multimedia console system, wherein said at least one microphone element operates in an unmuted mode continuously without requiring push-to-talk action from a user in the multimedia console system that interrupts the operation of the at least one microphone element; and
an interface to a peripheral of a multimedia console of the multimedia console system for communicating the uninterrupted voice input to the multimedia console via the peripheral.
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Specification