Amplified microphone assembly

• US 4,096,439 A
• Filed: 12/27/1976
• Issued: 06/20/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peter A Hochstein
• Original Assignee: Peter A Hochstein
• Inventors: Hochstein, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Safourek, Benedict V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US05/754,249
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 325/15, 325/21, 325/22, 179/1 A, 179/1 H, 320/1
• US Class Current: 455/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/44 Transmit/receive switching

Abstract

An amplified microphone assembly for increasing the intelligibility of transmitted speech and including a microphone element, an audio amplifier, an auxiliary power supply and a push-to-talk switch. The microphone element converts an audio signal to an electrical signal while the audio amplifier amplifies the electrical signal. The auxiliary power supply supplies power to the audio amplifier when the push-to-talk switch is actuated, at which time an audio signal from the amplifier is sent to a radio transceiver. The power supply is chargeable and includes a charging circuit for charging the power supply. A connecting cable connects the microphone assembly to a transceiver and includes an audio lead and two push-to-talk leads which place the transceiver in the transmit mode when the push-to-talk switch is actuated. The charging circuit is connected across the push-to-talk leads and utilizes the voltage drop therebetween, as generated in the transceiver when the leads are not connected in the receive mode to, in turn, recharge the power supply. In the first embodiment of the invention the power supply includes a rechargeable battery and in the second embodiment of the invention the power supply includes a low-leakage high-capacity capacitor.

Claims

1. A microphone assembly comprising:

transducer means for converting an audio signal to an electrical signal, amplifying means for amplifying said electrical signal from said transducer means, rechargeable power supply means for supplying power to said amplifying means, charging means for charging said power supply means, connection means for electrical connection to a radio transceiver to transmit electrical power signals between said microphone assembly and the transceiver, and switching means for supplying electrical power to said charging means from said connection means and to said power supply means from said charging means during a first mode and for supplying electrical power to said amplifying means from said power supply means and to said connection means from said amplifying means during a second mode.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switching means is alternately in either said first or second modes.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said switching means includes a manually actuated switch having a receive position for establishing said first mode and a transmit position for establishing said second mode.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said connection means includes an audio lead extending from said switch for conveying electrical power in the form of an electrical audio signal from said amplifying means when connected thereto through said switch in said transmit position.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said connection means includes a pair of push-to-talk leads extending from said switch for conveying electrical power to and from the transceiver when connected together through said switch in said transmit position for placing the transceiver in the transmit mode, said charging means being connected between said push-to-talk leads.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said charging means includes a voltage rectifier.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said power supply means comprises a rechargeable battery.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said power supply means comprises a capacitor.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a regulator for regulating the voltage output of said capacitor.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said amplifying means includes an audio compressor.

11. A microphone assembly comprising;

transducer means for converting an audio signal to an electrical signal during a transmit mode, amplifying means for amplifying said electrical signal from said transducer means during said transmit mode, rechargeable power supply means for supplying power to said amplifying means during said transmit mode, charging means for charging said power supply means during a receive mode, and switching means for placing said assembly in one of said transmit mode and said receive mode.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said power supply means comprises a capacitor and including a regulator for regulating the output of said capacitor.