Throwable wireless microphone system for passing from one user to the next in lecture rooms and auditoriums

• US 8,989,420 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2011
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engagement Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Engagement Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Hamer, Joseph Andrew, Ragins, Jacob Robert, Mellovitz, Alan Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US13/093,282
• Time in Patent Office: 1,429 Days
• Field of Search: 381/77, 381/122, 381/355, 381/189, 381/368
• US Class Current: 381/355
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/08 Microphones

Abstract

A wireless microphone system within an enclosure for use in lecture hall sound systems that enables facilitated passing of the system from one user to another and provides a less intimidating microphone configuration to grip and use than standard wireless microphones. The system can also include an integrated push-to-talk feature requiring activation before a user'"'"'s comments will be picked up and amplified over the sound system. The system can also include a laser pointer allowing the user to reference objects while they speak into the device. A wireless mute button can also be provided so that the lecturer or discussion leader can control when the system will be operative. The audio transmitter can be substituted with a audio recorder to be used independently of an audio receiving system.

Claims

1. A throwable microphone unit for facilitated transfer from user to user, including a wireless audio transmitting device adapted for use in a lecture hall, classroom, or auditorium with compatible audio speaker systems, to amplify what the user is saying, said unit comprising:

an outer enclosure having an interior for substantially surrounding and operably protecting said wireless audio transmitting device therewithin from being operationally affected by physical impact from throwing, said outer enclosure being constructed of a substantially resilient padding material;

said interior of said enclosure being operably associated with said transmitting device within said enclosure;

controls operably associated with transmitting device for allowing users to interact with the transmitting device from the exterior of said enclosure and,

said enclosure and said wireless audio transmitting device providing for facilitated transfer of said enclosure and said device from user to user.

2. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said unit further comprises:

a wireless controller operably associated with said unit for someone other than the user to selectively remotely activate and deactivate said transmitting device.

3. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said unit further comprises one or more of the following items:

an audio recorder for recording of the comments of the user;

an RF mute button operably associated with said transmitting device;

voice activated transmission of the transmission device;

an RFID security tag;

a laser pointer;

use of rechargeable batteries;

a non-round enclosure shape; and

surface mounted display and controls.

4. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said unit further comprises:

a protective skin substantially surrounding the outer periphery of said outer enclosure.

5. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said substantially resilient padding material substantially surrounds said transmitting device.

6. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said substantially resilient padding material comprises a foam material.

7. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said substantially resilient padding material comprises a solid foam material.

8. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said substantially resilient material comprises a granular foam material.

9. The throwable microphone unit of claim 4, further comprising a re-sealable aperture disposed through said outer protective skin, said re-sealable aperture providing exterior access to said outer enclosure through said aperture from outside of the protective skin.

10. The throwable microphone unit of claim 4 wherein at least one of said enclosure and said protective skin is disposed in a substantially bilaterally symmetrical manner about said transmitting device.

11. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1 wherein said enclosure is disposed in a substantially bilaterally symmetrical manner about said transmitting device.

12. The throwable microphone unit of claim 4 wherein said protective skin is disposed in a substantially bilaterally symmetrical manner about said transmitting device.

13. The throwable microphone unit of claim 1, further comprising a laser pointer substantially disposed within the enclosure.

14. A throwable microphone unit for facilitated transfer from user to user, including a wireless audio transmitting device adapted for use in a lecture hall, classroom, or auditorium with compatible audio speaker systems, to amplify what the user is saying, said unit comprising:

an enclosure substantially surrounding and operably protecting said wireless audio transmitting device from being operationally affected by physical impact from throwing, said enclosure being constructed of a substantially resilient padding material;

controls operably associated with transmitting device for allowing users to interact with the transmitting device from the exterior of said enclosure and,

said enclosure and said wireless audio transmitting device providing for facilitated transfer of said enclosure and said device from user to user.

15. The throwable microphone unit of claim 14 wherein the unit further comprises:

a wireless controller operably associated with the unit for someone other than the user to selectively remotely activate and deactivate said transmitting device.

16. The throwable microphone unit of claim 14 wherein the substantially resilient padding material substantially surrounds the transmitting device.

17. The throwable microphone unit of claim 14 wherein the substantially resilient padding material comprises a foam material.

18. The throwable microphone unit of claim 14 wherein the substantially resilient padding material comprises a solid foam material.

19. The throwable microphone unit of claim 14 wherein the substantially resilient material comprises a granular foam material.