Boundary microphone and desktop electro-acoustic transducer

• US 8,442,256 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-technica
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-technica
• Inventors: Yoshino, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Warren, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUSSELL, CHRISTINA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/788,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20100303272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 381/357, 381/355, 381/361, 455/77
• US Class Current: 381/357
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor

Abstract

A base having a flat shape; a support provided on a bottom surface of the base; a microphone unit incorporated in the base and converts sound into an electric signal; and a pressure sensitive switch with which an output signal from the microphone unit is turned on and off are included. At least one such pressure sensitive switch is provided to be pressed between the base and the support.

Claims

1. A boundary microphone comprising:

a base having a flat shape;

a support provided on a bottom surface of the base;

a microphone unit incorporated in the base and converts sound into an electric signal; and

at least one pressure sensitive switch to turn on and off an output signal from the microphone unit, wherein

said at least one pressure sensitive switch is configured to be pressed between the base and the support and is actuated by pressing force by the user.

2. The boundary microphone according to claim 1, wherein

a plurality of supports is provided,

the supports include a support formed of a soft material and a support formed of a hard material, and

the pressure sensitive switch is provided on the support foil led of a soft material.

3. The boundary microphone according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive switch is provided between the bottom of the base and the support, and on an upper surface of the base.

4. The boundary microphone according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive switch is turned on or off by the upper front portion of the base being pressed downwardly.

5. The boundary microphone according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensitive switch is of a membrane type.

6. A desktop electro-acoustic transducer comprising:

a base having a flat shape;

a support provided on a bottom surface of the base;

an electro-acoustic transducing unit incorporated in the base; and

at least one pressure sensitive switch to turn on and off an output signal from the electro-acoustic transducing unit, wherein

said at least one pressure sensitive switch is configured to be pressed between the base and the support and is actuated by pressing force by the user.

7. The desktop electro-acoustic transducer according to claim 6, wherein the pressure sensitive switch is provided between the bottom of the base and the support, and on an upper surface of the base.

8. The desktop electro-acoustic transducer according to claim 6, wherein

a plurality of supports is provided,

the supports include a support formed of a soft material and a support formed of a hard material, and

the pressure sensitive switch is provided on the support formed of a soft material.

9. The desktop electro-acoustic transducer according to claim 6, wherein the pressure sensitive switch is turned on by pressing a front upper surface of the base downward and is turned off by releasing the pressing force.

10. The desktop electro-acoustic transducer according to claim 6, wherein

the electro-acoustic transducing unit is a microphone unit, and

the microphone unit is detachably attached via a connector provided on the base.

11. The desktop electro-acoustic transducer according to claim 6, wherein the pressure sensitive switch is a switch of a membrane type.