Speakerphone including a plurality of microphones mounted by microphone supports

• US 7,907,745 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2009
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Oxford, William V.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN DUC
• Application Number:
  US12/561,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20100008529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 381/91, 381/87, 381/345, 381/356, 381/361, 381/355, 381/365, 181/148, 181/171, 181/198, 181/157, 181/158, 379/202.01, 379/433.02, 348/14.08, 370/260
• US Class Current: 381/361
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/406 microphones

Abstract

In various embodiments, a speakerphone may comprise multiple (e.g., 16) microphones placed in a circular array around a central speaker. Each microphone may be mounted to the speakerphone through a microphone support. The microphone support may be made of a flexible material and have various features designed to minimize interference to the microphone (e.g., from the speaker and/or vibrations external to the speakerphone). The centrally mounted speaker may be coupled to a stiff internal speaker enclosure. The speaker enclosure may be made of a stiff, heavy material (e.g., a dense plastic) to prevent the speaker vibrations from excessively vibrating the speakerphone enclosure (which may affect the microphones).

Claims

1. A speakerphone, comprising:

at least two microphones, wherein each microphone is mounted to the speakerphone through a separate microphone support;

wherein the microphone support comprises;

a central mass operable to receive a microphone;

a mounting strip operable to suspend the central mass; and

a mounting bracket coupled to the mounting strip, wherein the mounting bracket is configured to be mounted to the speakerphone.

2. The speakerphone of claim 1, comprising at least three microphones which include the at least two microphones, wherein the at least three microphones are comprised in a circular array on the speakerphone.

3. The speakerphone of claim 2, further comprising a speaker inside the circular array of microphones.

4. The speakerphone of claim 3, wherein the speaker is an edge driven speaker.

5. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the microphones comprise a diaphragm, and wherein the microphones are coupled to the speakerphone with the diaphragm of the microphones substantially parallel to a top surface of the speakerphone.

6. The speakerphone of claim 1,

wherein the central mass comprises a top hole with a smaller diameter than a bottom hole;

and

wherein the central mass is configured to receive a microphone through the bottom hole with a diaphragm of the microphone closest to the top hole.

7. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the mounting strip has a rectangular cross section and is made of the same material as the central mass.

8. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes at least two holes to receive posts for mounting the microphone support to the speakerphone.

9. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein at least the central mass and mounting strip are tuned to isolate a mounted microphone from at least a portion of vibrations applied to the speakerphone.

10. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the central mass is suspended between two mounting brackets by two mounting strips.

11. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the central mass, mounting strip, and mounting bracket are made of plastic.

12. The speakerphone of claim 1, wherein the central mass, mounting strip, and mounting bracket are made of a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

13. A speakerphone, comprising:

at least four microphones in a circular array, wherein each of the at least four microphones is mounted to the speakerphone through a separate microphone support;

a speaker comprised in the circular array of microphones;

wherein each microphone support comprises;

a central mass operable to receive a microphone;

a mounting strip operable to suspend the central mass; and

a mounting bracket coupled to the mounting strip, wherein the mounting bracket is configured to be mounted to the speakerphone; and

wherein at least the central mass and mounting strip are tuned to isolate a mounted microphone from at least a portion of vibrations applied to the speakerphone.

14. The speakerphone of claim 13, wherein the speaker is an edge driven speaker.

15. The speakerphone of claim 13, wherein the microphones comprise a diaphragm, and wherein the microphones are coupled to the speakerphone with the diaphragm of the microphones substantially parallel to a top surface of the speakerphone.

16. The speakerphone of claim 13,

wherein the central mass comprises a top hole with a smaller diameter than a bottom hole;

and

wherein the central mass is configured to receive a microphone through the bottom hole with a diaphragm of the microphone closest to the top hole.

17. The speakerphone of claim 13, wherein the mounting strip has a rectangular cross section and is made of the same material as the central mass.

18. The speakerphone of claim 13, wherein the mounting bracket includes at least two holes to receive posts for mounting the microphone support to the speakerphone.

19. The speakerphone of claim 13, wherein the central mass is suspended between two mounting brackets by two mounting strips.

20. The speakerphone of claim 13, wherein the central mass, mounting strip, and mounting bracket are made of a thermoplastic vulcanizate.