Wireless multi-user audio system

• US 8,483,757 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Revolabs, Inc. (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: REVO Labs Incorporated
• Inventors: Bodley, Martin Reed, Carney, Jean-Pierre, Kugler, Donald William Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay A
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLEMING-HALL, ERICA L
• Application Number:
  US11/668,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20070147644A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,353 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/416, 455/66.1
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/406 microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/005 for combining the signals of two or more microphones specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

Various methods and devices are provided for a wireless audio system for a number of users. The system includes a base unit that is adapted to removably store, recharge and communicate with personal microphone modules, table-top microphones, and audio adapters. The system also includes a plurality of personal microphone modules that each are adapted to be removable and coupled to a user'"'"'s clothing, and to communicate wirelessly with the base unit, and table-top microphones that are adapted to communicate wirelessly with the base unit.

Claims

1. A wireless audio microphone system for use in audio conferencing among a number of users, comprising:

a base unit that is configured to removably store, recharge, and communicate with at least one personal microphone module (PMM) and at least one audio adapter that is configured to removably couple to a conventional wireless microphone; and

the at least one PMM comprising a mutable microphone and a microphone mute-status indicator, and being configured to be removably coupled to a user'"'"'s clothing, and to communicate wirelessly with one base unit at a time;

wherein a wireless link is automatically established between the at least one PMM and the base unit and the at least one audio adapter and the base unit upon registration with the base unit such that the base unit assigns a unique audio channel to the at least one PMM and the at least one audio adapter;

wherein the at least one PMM microphone is automatically muted when the at least one PMM is removed from the base unit;

wherein the at least one audio adapter is automatically muted when the at least one audio adapter is removed from the base unit; and

wherein the base unit is configured to perform audio mixing and gain control and comprises a conferenced audio port which combines all audio channels.

2. A method of wireless audio communication, comprising:

registering one or more personal microphone modules (PMMs) with a first base unit by pressing a button on each of the PMMs and the first base unit so as to cause unique registration to pair the one or more PMMs with the first base unit;

registering one or more audio adapters with the first base unit by pressing a button on each of the audio adapters and the first base unit so as to cause unique registration to pair the one or more audio adapters with the first base unit;

registering the one or more PMMs with a second base unit by pressing a button on each of the PMMs and the second base unit so as to cause unique registration to pair the one or more PMMs with the second base unit and to deactivate a connection between the PMMs and the first base unit; and

registering the one or more audio adapters with the second base unit by pressing a button on each of the audio adapters and the second base unit so as to cause unique registration to pair the one or more audio adapters with the second base unit and to deactivate a connection between the audio adapters and the first base unit;

wherein the one or more PMMs and the one or more audio adapters can be used to communicate with only one base unit at any time; and

wherein the one or more audio adapters are configured to removably couple to a conventional wireless microphone.