Wireless audio transfer system, wireless microphone, audio transmitting apparatus, audio receiving apparatus, image pickup apparatus, recording apparatus and audio mixer

• US 8,358,980 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2008
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tajima, Iwao, Suzuki, Sinya, Yamaki, Toshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hanidu, Ganiyu A
• Application Number:
  US12/061,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20080248755A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,755 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66.1, 381/58
• US Class Current: 455/66.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/406 microphones

Abstract

Disclosed is a wireless audio transfer system that includes an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone, an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves and demodulating the audio signal, and an audio output terminal for outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit. The system further includes an image pickup apparatus including an audio input terminal for inputting the audio signal. In the system, the audio transmitting apparatus includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting status data, the audio receiving apparatus includes a first communication terminal and a data processing unit for obtaining the status data from the received radio waves and outputting the status data from the first communication terminal, and the image pickup apparatus includes a second communication terminal for inputting the status data outputted from the first communication terminal, a display unit, and a first control unit for displaying whether audio distortion is present at the audio transmitting apparatus.

Claims

1. A wireless audio transfer system comprising:

an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone;

an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves transmitted from the audio transmitting apparatus and demodulating the audio signal and an audio output terminal for outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit; and

an image pickup apparatus including an audio input terminal for inputting the audio signal outputted from the audio receiving apparatus, wherein

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting, as radio waves, distortion status data showing a detection result of the detecting unit,

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a first communication terminal and a data processing unit for obtaining the distortion status data from the received radio waves and outputting the distortion status data from the first communication terminal, and

the image pickup apparatus includes a second communication terminal for inputting the distortion status data outputted from the first communication terminal of the audio receiving apparatus, a display unit, and a first control unit for displaying, based on the distortion status data inputted into the second communication terminal, whether audio distortion is present at the audio transmitting apparatus on the display unit,

wherein the distortion status data is included in a packet signal that is appended to the audio signal or the distortion status data is transmitted as a subcarrier of a different frequency band to a main carrier, the main carrier being radio waves used to transmit the audio signal.

2. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 1, wherein

the image pickup apparatus further includes a first wireless communication interface and operating unit for changing an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus,

the first control unit of the image pickup apparatus is operable to transmit, in response to an operation of the an operating unit, control data showing the operation from the first wireless communication interface, and

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a second wireless communication interface for receiving control data transmitted from the first wireless communication interface of the image pickup apparatus;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a second control unit for controlling the level adjusting unit based on the control data received by the second wireless communication interface.

3. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 2, wherein

in response to an operation of the operating unit, the first control unit of the image pickup apparatus transmits control data showing the operation from the first wireless communication interface and also carries out control to raise a level of the audio signal inputted from the audio receiving apparatus into the image pickup apparatus in response to an operation of the operating unit that lowers an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus having been carried out.

4. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 1, wherein

the image pickup apparatus further includes an operating unit for changing an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus,

the first control unit of the image pickup apparatus is operable to output, in response to an operation of the operating unit, control data showing the operation from the second communication terminal to the audio receiving apparatus,

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a first wireless communication interface and a second control unit for transmitting the control data inputted from the image pickup apparatus from the first wireless communication interface, and

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a second wireless communication interface for receiving the control data transmitted from the first wireless communication interface of the audio receiving apparatus;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a third control unit for controlling the level adjusting unit based on the control data received by the second wireless transmitting interface.

5. A wireless audio transfer system comprising:

an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone;

an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves transmitted from the audio transmitting apparatus and demodulating the audio signal and an audio output terminal for outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit; and

a recording apparatus including an audio input terminal for inputting the audio signal outputted from the audio receiving apparatus, wherein

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting, as radio waves, distortion status data showing a detection result of the detecting unit,

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a first communication terminal and a data processing unit for obtaining the distortion status data from the received radio waves and outputting the distortion status data from the first communication terminal, and

the recording apparatus includes a second communication terminal for inputting the distortion status data outputted from the first communication terminal of the audio receiving apparatus, a display unit, and a first control unit for displaying, based on the distortion status data inputted into the second communication terminal, whether audio distortion is present at the audio transmitting apparatus on the display unit,

wherein the distortion status data is included in a packet signal that is appended to the audio signal or the distortion status data is transmitted as a subcarrier of a different frequency band to a main carrier, the main carrier being radio waves used to transmit the audio signal.

6. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 5, wherein

the recording apparatus further includes a first wireless communication interface and an operating unit for changing an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus,

the first control unit of the recording apparatus is operable to transmit, in response to an operation of the operating unit, control data showing the operation from the first wireless communication interface, and

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a second wireless communication interface for receiving control data transmitted from the first wireless communication interface of the recording apparatus;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a second control unit for controlling the level adjusting unit based on the control data received by the second wireless communication interface.

7. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 6, wherein

in response to an operation of the operating unit, the first control unit of the recording apparatus transmits control data showing the operation from the first wireless communication interface and also carries out control to raise a level of the audio signal inputted from the audio receiving apparatus into the recording apparatus in response to an operation of the operating unit that lowers an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus having been carried out.

8. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 5, wherein

the recording apparatus further includes an operating unit for changing an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus,

the control unit of the recording apparatus is operable to output, in response to an operation of the operating unit, control data showing the operation from the second communication terminal to the audio receiving apparatus,

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a first wireless communication interface and a second control unit for transmitting the control data inputted from the recording apparatus from the first wireless communication interface, and

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a second wireless communication interface for receiving the control data transmitted from the first wireless communication interface of the audio receiving apparatus;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a third control unit for controlling the level adjusting unit based on the control data received by the second wireless transmitting interface.

9. A wireless audio transfer system comprising:

an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone;

an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves transmitted from the audio transmitting apparatus and demodulating the audio signal and an audio output terminal for outputting the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit; and

an audio mixer including an audio input terminal for inputting the audio signal outputted from the audio receiving apparatus, wherein

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting, as radio waves, distortion status data showing a detection result of the detecting unit,

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a first communication terminal and a data processing unit for obtaining the distortion status data from the received radio waves and outputting the distortion status data from the first communication terminal, and

the audio mixer includes a second communication terminal for inputting the distortion status data outputted from the first communication terminal of the audio receiving apparatus, a display unit, and a first control unit for displaying, based on the distortion status data inputted into the second communication terminal, whether audio distortion is present at the audio transmitting apparatus on the display unit,

wherein the distortion status data is included in a packet signal that is appended to the audio signal or the distortion status data is transmitted as a subcarrier of a different frequency band to a main carrier, the main carrier being radio waves used to transmit the audio signal.

10. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 9, wherein

the audio mixer further includes a first wireless communication interface and an operating unit for changing an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus,

the first control unit of the audio mixer is operable to transmit, in response to an operation of the operating unit, control data showing the operation from the first wireless communication interface, and

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a second wireless communication interface for receiving control data transmitted from the first wireless communication interface of the audio mixer;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a second control unit for controlling the level adjusting unit based on the control data received by the second wireless communication interface.

11. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 10, wherein

in response to an operation of the operating unit, the first control unit of the audio mixer transmits control data showing the operation from the first wireless communication interface and also carries out control to raise a level of the audio signal inputted from the audio receiving apparatus into the audio mixer apparatus in response to an operation of the operating unit that lowers an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus having been carried out.

12. A wireless audio transfer system according to claim 9, wherein

the audio mixer further includes an operating unit for changing an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus,

the control unit of the audio mixer is operable to output, in response to an operation of the operating unit, control data showing the operation from the second communication terminal to the audio receiving apparatus,

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a first wireless communication interface and a second control unit for transmitting the control data inputted from the audio mixer from the first wireless communication interface, and

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a second wireless communication interface for receiving the control data transmitted from the first wireless communication interface of the audio receiving apparatus;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a third control unit for controlling the level adjusting unit based on the control data received by the second wireless transmitting interface.

13. A wireless audio transfer system comprising:

a plurality of audio transmitting apparatuses that each include a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone;

at least one audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit for receiving the radio waves transmitted from at least one audio transmitting apparatus out of the plurality of audio transmitting apparatuses and demodulating the audio signals and at least one audio output terminal for outputting the audio signals demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit; and

a terminal apparatus connected to the at least one audio receiving apparatus, wherein

each audio transmitting apparatus further includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting, as radio waves, distortion status data showing a detection result of the detecting unit,

each audio receiving apparatus further includes a data processing unit for obtaining the distortion status data from the radio waves respectively received from the audio transmitting apparatuses and transmitting the distortion status data to the terminal apparatus, and

the terminal apparatus includes a display unit and a control unit for displaying a list of the distortion status data of the audio transmitting apparatuses transmitted from the at least one audio receiving apparatus on the display unit,

wherein the distortion status data is included in a packet signal that is appended to the audio signal or the distortion status data is transmitted as a subcarrier of a different frequency band to a main carrier, the main carrier being radio waves used to transmit the audio signal.

14. A wireless microphone comprising:

an audio transmitting apparatus including a microphone and a modulating/transmitting unit for transmitting radio waves modulated using an audio signal from the microphone,

wherein an audio receiving apparatus including a receiving/demodulating unit receives the radio waves transmitted from the audio transmitting apparatus and demodulates the audio signal and an audio output terminal for outputs the audio signal demodulated by the receiving/demodulating unit, wherein

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes a detecting unit for detecting distortion of an audio signal and a data transmitting unit for transmitting, as radio waves, distortion status data showing a detection result of the detecting unit, and

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a communication terminal and a data processing unit for obtaining the distortion status data from the received radio waves and outputting the distortion status data from the communication terminal,

wherein the distortion status data is included in a packet signal that is appended to the audio signal or the distortion status data is transmitted as a subcarrier of a different frequency band to a main carrier, the main carrier being radio waves used to transmit the audio signal.

15. A wireless microphone according to claim 14, wherein

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a wireless communication interface;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a control unit operable to control, in response to the wireless communication interface receiving control data for changing the input level of the audio signal, the level adjusting unit based on the control data.

16. A wireless microphone according to claim 14, wherein

the audio receiving apparatus further includes a first wireless communication interface, an operating unit for changing an input level of the audio signal into the audio transmitting apparatus, and a control unit for transmitting control data showing an operation of the operating unit from the first wireless communication interface, and

the audio transmitting apparatus further includes:

a second wireless communication interface for receiving data transmitted from the first wireless communication interface of the audio receiving apparatus;

a level adjusting unit for adjusting an input level of the audio signal from the microphone; and

a control unit for controlling the level adjusting unit based on the control data received by the second wireless communication interface.