Directionally sensitive pointing microphone

• US 6,522,761 B1
• Filed: 08/07/1996
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Ruffa, Anthony A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US08/700,573
• Time in Patent Office: 2,386 Days
• Field of Search: 381/168, 381/169, 381/205, 381/92, 381/355, 381/356, 381/357, 381/360, 381/361, 381/362, 381/365, 381/170, 381/172, 358/906, 358/909, 359/149, 359/150, 359/159
• US Class Current: 381/172
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/083 Special constructions of mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/342 for microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F

Abstract

A microphone apparatus which includes a directional microphone having an axis of sensitivity along which the directional microphone is sensitive to sound. A light source is mechanically coupled to the directional microphone to produce a beam of light in a direction substantially commensurate with the axis of sensitivity as a visual indication thereof.

Claims

1. A microphone apparatus comprising:

a directional microphone having an axis of sensitivity along which said directional microphone is sensitive to sound; and

a light source mechanically coupled to said directional microphone for producing a beam of light in a direction substantially commensurate with said axis of sensitivity.

2. The microphone apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising an activation switch coupled to said directional microphone and said light source for simultaneously activating said directional microphone and said light source.

3. The microphone apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said light source produces said beam of light parallel to said axis of sensitivity.

4. The microphone apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said light source produces said beam of light at an intensity that is safe for the human eye.

5. The microphone apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said directional microphone has a maximum usable range.

6. The microphone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light source includes means for limiting the diameter of said beam of light at a maximum range to not more than 18 inches.

7. A microphone apparatus comprising:

a slotted cylindrical tube;

a microphone mounted in said slotted cylindrical tube, said microphone receiving sound directed thereto by said cylindrical tube from a source of sound that is remotely located with respect to said microphone and said cylindrical tube; and

a light source mechanically coupled to said cylindrical tube for producing and directing a beam of light to impinge upon said source of sound.

8. The microphone apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising an activation switch coupled to said microphone and said light source for simultaneously activating said microphone and said light source.

9. The microphone apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said light source produces said beam of light at an intensity that is safe for the human eye.

10. The microphone apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the diameter of said beam of light does not exceed 18 inches when impinging on said source.

11. The microphone apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising:

an amplifier electrically coupled to said microphone; and

a speaker electrically coupled to said amplifier.

12. A microphone apparatus comprising:

a hollow cylindrical tube;

a microphone mounted in said cylindrical tube, said microphone receiving sound directed thereto by said cylindrical tube from a source of sound that is remotely located with respect to said microphone and said cylindrical tube;

a light generator for producing light;

means for processing said light to produce a beam of light with a diameter of not more than 18 inches, said means for processing directing said beam of light to impinge upon said source of sound; and

an activation switch coupled to said microphone and said light generator for simultaneously activating said microphone and said light generator.

13. The microphone apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said light generator is an eye-safe laser.

14. The microphone apparatus as in claim 12 further comprising:

an amplifier electrically coupled to said microphone; and

a speaker electrically coupled to said amplifier.