Variable pattern hanging microphone system with remote polar control

• US 8,483,412 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2010
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JAM Industries USA LLC
• Original Assignee: CAD Audio, LLC
• Inventors: Statham, Kelly, Huffman, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): San Martin, Edgardo
• Application Number:
  US12/783,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20100296674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 381/174, 381/119, 381/358, 381/361, 381/362, 381/92
• US Class Current: 381/174
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/04 Structural association of microphone with electric circuitry therefor in deaf-aid sets H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/326 for microphones H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/021 Transducers or their casings adapted for mounting in or to a wall or ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/09 Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/20 Processing of the output signals of the acoustic transducers of an array for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic H04R2203/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/005 for combining the signals of two or more microphones specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

A microphone system includes a microphone and a control device external to the microphone. The microphone includes at least two capacitor capsules or one dual-sided capsule. The control device is capable of varying the polar pattern of the microphone over a two-conductor shielded cable or wirelessly. The microphone system may include an anti-rotational positioning mount for the microphone.

Claims

1. A microphone system comprising:

a microphone having at least two capacitor capsules;

a control device external to the microphone and operatively connected to the microphone, wherein the control device is capable of varying the polar pattern of the microphone;

a mixer including a differencing amplifier;

a two-conductor shielded cable having a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the two-conductor shielded cable operatively connects the microphone, the control device, and the mixer;

wherein a first signal from the first capsule is on the first conductor and a second signal from the second capsule is on the second conductor; and

wherein the first and second signals remain separate until the first and second signals enter the differencing amplifier in the mixer, where the polar pattern is created.

2. The microphone system of claim 1 further comprising:

a printed circuit board located between the two capacitor capsules and being a substrate for electronics of the microphone.

3. The microphone system of claim 2, wherein the printed circuit board also functions as an acoustic baffle between the two capsules.

4. The microphone system of claim 1 further comprising:

an anti-rotational positioning mount comprising;

an upper support arm secured to an associated ceiling;

a counterpoise rod operatively attached to the microphone; and

a cable rod operatively attached to the microphone and to the shielded cable;

wherein the anti-rotational positioning mount maintains the position of the microphone utilizing a thread attached to the upper support arm and the counterpoise rod;

wherein the microphone hangs supported from the ceiling by the shielded cable.

5. The microphone system of claim 1, wherein the at least two capacitor capsules are arranged back-to-back and not side-to-side.

6. The microphone system of claim 1, wherein the control device alters the amplitude and polarity of the second signal from the second capsule.

7. The microphone system of claim 1, wherein the control device further comprises an indicator that indicates when the microphone, the control device, and the mixer are properly connected.

8. The microphone system of claim 1, wherein the control device includes a high-pass filter.

9. The microphone system of claim 1, wherein the control device can continuously vary the polar pattern when the microphone is in use over the two-conductor shielded cable.

10. The microphone system of claim 9, wherein the control device can continuously vary the polar pattern of the microphone among any one of the group comprising a figure-of-eight polar pattern, a hypercardioid polar pattern, a cardioid polar pattern, a wide-angle cardioid polar pattern, an omnidirectional polar pattern, and any combination thereof.

14. The microphone system of claim 7, wherein the indicator also indicates when phantom power is applied to the system.

11. A microphone system comprising:

a microphone including a dual-sided capsule having two diaphragms;

a control device external to the microphone and operatively connected to the microphone, wherein the control device is capable of varying the polar pattern of the microphone;

a mixer including a differencing amplifier;

a two-conductor shielded cable having a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the two-conductor shielded cable operatively connects the microphone, the control device, and the mixer;

wherein a first signal from the first diaphragm is on the first conductor and a second signal from the second diaphragm is on the second conductor; and

wherein the first and second signals remain separate until the first and second signals enter the differencing amplifier in the mixer, where the polar pattern is created.

12. The microphone system of claim 11 further comprising:

a printed circuit board located between the two diaphragms of the dual sided capsule.

13. The microphone system of claim 12, wherein the printed circuit board can function as an acoustic baffle between the two capsules.

15. The microphone system of claim 12, wherein the control device alters the amplitude and polarity of the second signal from the second diaphragm.