Patent Application
20180220215
This application generally relates to microphones and microphone connectors. In particular, this application relates to a microphone connector that includes a sleeve and a receptacle having keyed and releaseably lockable engagement that is capable of transmitting both audio signals from the connected microphone and lighting signals to lights onboard of the connected microphone to indicate a mode or status of the microphone.
Many varieties of microphones are employed in a variety of sound reinforcement applications where audio from a sound source (such as a human speaking) is captured, transmitted and amplified to listeners via appropriate amplification and speaker systems. Microphones can be used in a variety of such applications. Microphone connectors typically connect a microphone to a cable or plug such that an electrical connection is made between the microphone and downstream audio components (such as mixers and amplifiers) to which the audio signal captured by the microphone is delivered.
In some applications, such as conferencing environments, larger numbers of microphones are utilized to capture audio from a large number of audio sources. For example, sound reinforcement in environments such as conference rooms, boardrooms, video conferencing applications, and the like, can involve the use of microphones for capturing sound from many audio sources active in such environments. Such audio sources may include humans speaking, for example. The captured sound may be disseminated to a local audience in the environment through amplified speakers (for sound reinforcement), or to others remote from the environment (such as via a telecast and/or a webcast).
Given the larger numbers of microphones utilized in these and other types of applications, it is often desirable to not have all of the microphones active at one time, so as to avoid undesirable results such as feedback, picking up room noise, etc. Therefore, in applications with large numbers of microphones, often system controls are utilized which activate one or several microphones at one time, to pick up audio only from active sources, such as active speakers in a large group of people. In conjunction with selective activation of microphones, it can be desirable to indicate to the individuals using such microphones a status or mode of the microphones (such as when the microphones are active, or “on”, and when the microphones are inactive, or “muted”, for example). Therefore, conferencing systems may include visual indicators to indicate statuses of various microphones in the system so that users of the system know which microphones are active at any time, and which are not.
It can be desirable for individual microphones in such systems to include visual indicators, such as lighting, on the microphone itself, to indicate the status of such microphone to a user of the microphone. However, adding lighting to a microphone introduces challenges relative to electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference and other noise which can be interjected into the system. For example, users with cell phones placed nearby such microphones can introduce radio frequency or GSM interference into the system due to deficiencies in the electrical design of the microphone. Robustness of the microphone connection can be challenging, so as to ensure that the microphone can be easily connected, cannot be inadvertently removed or have its connection disrupted, and is not negatively impacted by unwanted electromagnetic interference.
Accordingly, there is an opportunity for systems that address these concerns. More particularly, there is an opportunity for a microphone connector that includes a keyed and lockable engagement and is capable of transmitting both audio signals from the connected microphone and lighting signals to lights onboard of the connected microphone to indicate a mode or status of the microphone, while reducing or eliminating unwanted interference.
The present invention is intended to solve the above-noted problems by providing microphone connectors and microphones that are designed to, among other things: (1) provide keyed and lockable engagement between the portions of the connector, (2) simultaneously permit downstream transmission of audio captured by the microphone and upstream transmission of lighting signals to one or more lights mounted on the connected microphone and (3) minimize or eliminate unwanted electromagnetic interference.
In an embodiment, a microphone connector assembly comprises a receptacle and a sleeve. The receptacle comprises a housing, a first cavity formed within the housing, a frame positioned within the first cavity, and a protrusion formed on the frame. The receptacle further comprises a first electrical block supported by the frame and positioned within the first cavity. The sleeve comprises an outer shell, a second cavity formed within the outer shell and a keyway formed in the outer shell and positioned within the second cavity. The sleeve further comprises a second electrical block positioned within the second cavity, wherein the sleeve is insertable into the receptacle such that (i) the protrusion enters the keyway and (ii) the first and second electrical blocks engage one another.
In another embodiment, a microphone comprises a head and a microphone body. The head includes a cartridge, and the microphone body supports the head. The microphone further comprises a sleeve connected to the microphone body. The sleeve comprises an outer shell, a cavity formed within the outer shell, and a keyway formed on an inner surface of the outer shell. The sleeve further comprises an electrical block positioned within the cavity, the electrical block comprising an array of contact positions configured to house a plurality of electrical contacts. The sleeve further comprises a first protrusion extending from the inner surface of the outer shell.
In yet another embodiment, a microphone connector assembly comprises a sleeve connected to a microphone body of a microphone. The sleeve comprises an outer shell, a cavity formed within the outer shell, and a keyway formed on an inner surface of the outer shell. The sleeve further comprises an electrical block positioned within the cavity, the electrical block comprising an array of contact positions configured to house a plurality of electrical contacts. The sleeve further comprises a first protrusion extending from the inner surface of the outer shell.
These and other embodiments, and various permutations and aspects, will become apparent and be more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which set forth illustrative embodiments that are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing numbers, such as, for example, in cases where such labeling facilitates a more clear description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features. Such labeling and drawing practices do not necessarily implicate an underlying substantive purpose. As stated above, the specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the invention as taught herein and understood to one of ordinary skill in the art.
With respect to the exemplary systems, components and architecture described and illustrated herein, it should also be understood that the embodiments may be embodied by, or employed in, numerous configurations and components, including one or more systems, hardware, software, or firmware configurations or components, or any combination thereof, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, while the drawings illustrate exemplary systems including components for one or more of the embodiments contemplated herein, it should be understood that with respect to each embodiment, one or more components may not be present or necessary in the system.
Turning to
Generally, the sleeve 40 is connected to a microphone 80 (as shown in
The sleeve 40 generally comprises an outer shell 42 having an outer surface 44 and an inner surface 46. In an embodiment, the outer shell 42 is rigid, and generally has a cylindrical shape, with a circular cross-section. The outer shell 42 forms a thin-walled housing between the outer surface 44 and the inner surface 46. A support 50 is mounted inside of the sleeve 40, and spaced from a distal end 48 of the sleeve 40. The support 50 is structurally supported by the sleeve 40 and may be connected to, or integrally formed with the sleeve 40. For example, the support 50 may be connected to the inner surface 46 of the sleeve 40. Because the support 50 is spaced from the distal end 48 of the sleeve 40, a cavity 52 is formed in the sleeve 40, proximate the distal end 48.
The cavity 52 is generally formed by the inner surface 46 of the outer shell 42, and the support 50. In an embodiment, the cavity 52 is generally cylindrical in shape formed by the contours of the inner wall 46 of the outer shell 42. The sleeve 40 further includes an electrical block 60, which houses the electrical contacts and forms the electrical connection when the sleeve 40 is mated with the receptacle 10. The electrical block 60 is described in greater detail with reference to
The electrical block 60 includes a plurality of openings, or contact positions 68 (seen in
Turning to
The flange 13 may include one or more mounting holes 14 which receive mounting hardware, such as screws, used to mount the receptacle 10 to various surfaces. For example, an appropriately sized hole may be created in a mounting surface (such in a desk, lectern, conference table, etc.) so as to accept the housing 12 of the receptacle 10 through the hole, and allow the flange 13 to abut, or rest against the mounting surface. The receptacle 10 can then be affixed to the mounting surface through the use of mounting hardware inserted through the holes 14 of the flange 13 and into the mounting surface. In an embodiment, appropriately sized holes may be drilled into the desired mounting surface, and screws may be utilized by inserting the screws through the holes 14 in the flange 13, into the drilled holes and affixing the flange 13 against the mounting surface. A variety of other mounting methods may be used to affix the receptacle 10 to various surfaces.
The receptacle 10 further includes an internal frame 16 that is positioned within a cavity 15 formed inside of the receptacle 10. The frame 16 is structurally connected to the housing 12 of the receptacle 10, and supported thereby, as depicted in the FIGS. In an embodiment, the frame 16 may be a separate component from the housing 12, but is supported by the housing 12 when the two are interconnected (as seen in
In an embodiment, the frame 16 supports an electrical block 30 of the receptacle 10. The electrical block 30 may be supported on an interior of the frame 16, and protrudes through an orifice 17 in the end of the frame 16 proximate the opening 24 of the receptacle 10. The electrical block 30 of the receptacle 10 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 32, which in an embodiment comprise electrical pins extending from the block 30. In an embodiment, the electrical contacts 32 of the block 30 in the receptacle 10 are male, while the corresponding contacts 62 of the sleeve 40 are female. In alternative embodiments, the contacts 32,62 may be of reverse gender, or may comprise other forms of electrical contact points, which complete electrical connections between the electrical blocks 30,60, when the receptacle 10 and sleeve 40 are connected and mated.
The receptacle 10 may further include a latch 20 for engaging complimentary latch engaging structure on the sleeve 40 to keep the receptacle 10 and sleeve 40 mechanically engaged when the two are connected together as shown in
The receptacle 10 further includes structures forming part of a keying system, which works to ensure that the microphone connector 1 can only be connected in one orientation. As seen in
As seen in
The receptacle 10 may further include a contactor 22. The contactor 22 may comprise a flexible metal bar, which ensures an electrical grounding connection between the frame 16 and the housing 12 of the receptacle 10, and the structures of the sleeve 40. Specifically, the contactor 22 may be inserted in between the frame 16 and the housing 12 by flexing the contactor 22, inserting the contactor 22 between the frame 16 and the housing 12, and releasing the contactor 22. The natural resilience of the contactor 22 causes it to stay in contact with both the frame 16 and the housing 12. The contactor 22 maintains a grounding connection between the frame 16, the housing 12, the other components of the receptacle 10, and the components of the sleeve 40, which improves the electromagnetic insulation and shielding of the microphone connector 1, as described herein. The configuration and operation of the contactor 22 is described in greater detail in relation to
Turning to
Removal and extraction of the sleeve 40 from the receptacle 10 can only be accomplished by disengagement of the latch 20, as shown in
Turning to
Removal of the sleeve 40 from the receptacle 10 can only be accomplished by disengagement of the latch 20, as shown in
Turning to
A middle portion 22b of the contactor 22 makes physical contact with the frame 16 of the receptacle 10, as seen in
The outer surface 44 of the outer shell 42 of the sleeve 40 is in contact with the inner wall 11 of the housing 12 of the receptacle 10, as seen in
Other configurations of the contactor 22 are also possible, and may comprise a plurality of metal strips geometrically positioned to make contact with the sleeve 40, frame 16, housing 12 and grounding tab 28. Alternatively, the contactor 22 may be constructed of non-metal materials, such as resilient plastic, which are embedded with, coated, or otherwise includes conductive portions such as metal strips, pathways or other conductors thereon to accomplish the electrical conductivity and grounding described. By using the contactor 22, when downstream electrical equipment is connected to the microphone connector 1, such equipment may be grounded to the grounding tab 28, thereby ensuring that all of the components of the microphone connector 1, as well as any microphones 80 connected thereto, are properly grounded.
In
As seen in
To ensure directional alignment of the sleeve 40 and receptacle 10, the keying system may include a second protrusion/keyway combination. Thus, as seen in
Depicted in
As seen in greater detail in
In this way, the keying system of protrusions 18,58a,58b and keyways 26a,26b,54 ensure rotational alignment of the sleeve 40 and receptacle 10 prior to and during insertion and connection. This protects the microphone connector 1 from damage and undue wear and tear, ensuring that the electrical blocks 30,60 are aligned so that the contacts 32,62 therein make proper connections with one another, the contactor 22 properly engages the sleeve 40, and the latch 22 properly engages the latch engaging structures on the sleeve 40, such as the lip 56 and groove 57. This consistent alignment will provide greater robustness to the electrical and mechanical connections of the microphone connector 1, and provide longer usable life of the connector 1, less failures, damage or repairs, and improved reliability and performance. While the keying system in the depicted embodiments includes keyways and mating protrusions, other keyway systems may be used in addition to, as alternatives to, the keyways/protrusions.
In
The cap 84 serves to protect the interior components of the microphone 80. In an embodiment, the cap 84 may comprise a screen or apertures to permit acoustic waves from a proximate sound source (such as a human speaking) to enter the microphone 80 and be picked up by the microphone 80. The cap 84 may be affixed to the microphone 80 body by any number of mechanical techniques, but in an embodiment, a set screw 85 passes through a hole in the cap 84 to hold the cap 84 onto the top 83 of the microphone 80.
The microphone 80 further comprises a cartridge 86, which is a transducer element which picks up acoustic waves from an audio source proximate the microphone 80 and covers such acoustic waves to audio signals which are transmitted by the microphone 80 via the connector 1. The cartridge 86 may be any appropriate form of transducer, such as a dynamic or condenser microphone cartridge or transducer. The cartridge 86 is electrically connected to the electrical block 60 of the sleeve 40, so as to be able to transmit audio picked up by the cartridge 86, via the microphone connector 1, to the downstream audio components, such as an amplifier, mixer, etc. The cartridge 86 is secured to the microphone 80 via a retainer ring 87 that acts to mechanically connect the cartridge 86 to the other components of the assembly. The cartridge 86 is in electrical connection with a field effect transistor interface (or FET) 88. The FET 88 acts to control the cartridge 88, and the transmission of the signals received by the cartridge 86. The retainer ring 87 connects the FET 88 and the cartridge 86 so as to maintain mechanical contact between the two.
The microphone 80 also comprises one or more lights 90, which in an embodiment are positioned near the top 83 of the microphone 80 so as to be visible by a user of the microphone 80 near the head 81. In the embodiment shown in
The components of the head 81 are positioned inside of the cap 84 and the cartridge housing 93 when assembled. When the LEDs 90 and lighting PCB 91 are positioned within the cartridge housing 93, the LED ring 90 aligns with a window 94 in the cartridge housing 93. The window 94 is a transparent or translucent portion of the cartridge housing 93 which allows the light from the LED ring 90 to be visible from outside of the cartridge housing 93, while simultaneously protecting the LED ring 90 and lighting PCB 91 from elements external to the microphone 80. In other embodiments, the window 94 may be positioned in other portions of the microphone 80, or may be omitted by positioning the LEDs 90 external to the microphone 80 structure so as to be visible by users of the microphone 80.
The microphone 80 further includes a microphone body 95, which in an embodiment comprises a shaft 95, such as a flexible gooseneck shaft. In other embodiments, the shaft 95 may be rigid, or a combination of flexible and rigid portions. The shaft 95 comprises a hollow tube which supports the head 81 of the microphone 80 away from the end 82 of the microphone 80 where the sleeve 40 is located. The shaft 95 may take on a variety of geometric configurations, lengths, widths, and thicknesses depending on the application in which the microphone 80 is being used. In an embodiment, the shaft 95 is long, thin member for use in a microphone 80 which is surface mounted to a lectern, desk, conference table, or other surface. In alternative embodiments, the microphone body 95 may take on various other geometries and configurations depending on the application of the microphone 80. For example, a desktop microphone 80 may have a generally flat microphone body 95 which sits on the desktop or other appropriate surface and houses the other components of the microphone 80.
An interior channel of the hollow shaft 95 accommodates an electrical cable 96 which connects the electrical components in the head 81 of the microphone 80 (such as the cartridge 86, FET 88, LEDS 90 and lighting PCB 91) with the electrical block 60 of the sleeve 40. The end of the electrical cable 96 in the head 81 of the microphone 80 is supported by a bushing 92, which may be a crimp bushing affixed to the cable 96 to keep the cable 96 positioned within the head 81, specifically within the cartridge housing 93. A bushing 92 abuts a portion of the interior of the cartridge housing 93 and prevents the cable 96 from being inadvertently strained or pulled out of the housing 93. The cable 96 may be alternatively secured to the head 81 of the microphone 80 and the cartridge housing 93 in a variety of other ways, including soldering, clamping, and the like. The electrical cable 96 comprises a plurality of wires which connected the functional components in the head 81 of the microphone 80 to the electrical block 60 in the sleeve 40. The wires of the electrical cable 96 and their functionality is described in greater detail in relation to
In
Similarly, the lighting contacts 66 of the electrical block 60 of the sleeve 40 are connected to the LED ring 90 via the lighting PCB 91 to enable operation of the lights in the LED ring 90. Thus, lighting control signals received via the lighting contacts 66 are transmitted to the lighting PCB via wires in the electrical cable 96 as seen in
Turning to
In this embodiment, the ten contacts 62a-j have various functions. The specific function of each contact 62a-j is shown below in Table 1.
Thus, the various contacts 62a-j in Table 1 are connected to the PCB (not shown) of the sleeve 40, which in turn routes signals there from to appropriate components in the sleeve 40 and connected microphone (such as the microphone 80 in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The block 60 in
In some embodiments, the various keyway/protrusion combinations perform complimentary functions. For example, in the embodiment shown in
The keyways 26a,b in the receptacle 10 (and the corresponding protrusions 58a,58b in the sleeve 40) are larger, more robust mechanical engaging structures which are have a generally rectangular cross-section. These complimentary structures, therefore, may serve not only to align the sleeve 40 and receptacle 10 during insertion—but also provide structural support and rigidity to the connector 1 when the sleeve 40 and receptacle 10 are connected. Thus, when the two portions of the connector 1 are inserted into one another, the mechanical engagement of the protrusions 58a,58b with the keyways 26a,b provide resistance to twisting, bending, flexing and other transverse forces on the connector—and in this way, serve to provide mechanical support to the connector 1 while the sleeve 40 is inside of the receptacle 10. Thus, these keyway 26a,b and protrusion 58a,58b combinations serve the purpose of both locating (during insertion) and supporting (after insertion). Therefore, depending on the size, shape, length, geometry, tolerances, and configuration of the keyways/protrusions, they may either serve primarily (or solely) as locating keyway/protrusion combinations, or as combined locating and supporting keyway/protrusion combinations.
Using the connections of the microphone connector 1, control systems may be coupled to the receptacle 10 to control the lighting 90 on the microphone 80 connected via the sleeve 40, so as to indicate a status or mode of the microphone 80. For example, when the microphone 80 is “on” or “active”, the control system may cause the LEDs 90 to light a certain color (such as green) to indicate that the microphone 80 is active and picking up sound via the cartridge 86. This visual indication of “green” serves to inform a user of the microphone 80 that he or she may now speak into the microphone 80 because it is turned on and is active. In another example, the control system may cause the LEDs 90 to light a different color (such as red) to indicate that the microphone 80 is “off” or “inactive” to indicate that the microphone 80 is in a “mute” mode. This visual indication of “red” serves to inform a user of the microphone 80 that sounds are not being picked up by the microphone 80 because of its “muted” state.
In other embodiments, the LEDs 90 may be illuminated by the control system in a large variety ways to provide a number of visual indicators corresponding with various statuses or modes of the microphone 80. The LEDs 90 may be illuminated in different colors corresponding with various modes or statuses. Alternatively, the LEDs 90 may be illuminated in different illumination patterns (such as solid illumination, short flashes, long flashes, blinking, etc.) to indicate differing statuses or modes in which the microphone 80 has been placed. By using the LEDs 90, the control system can visually indicate various information to users of the microphone 80. In larger systems with large numbers of microphones 80, control systems can take advantage of the large variety of colors and illumination patterns to convey a wealth of information about the statuses and modes of the microphones 80 of such system to the many users of such system.
The locking and keying features of the microphone connector 1 described herein provide a robust mechanical connection which ensures a durable and solid electrical connection for optimal use of the microphone 80. The keyways and protrusions described herein ensure that the sleeve 40 is inserted into the receptacle 10 in the proper orientation such that the electrical blocks 30,60 are properly connected, and the correct pairing of counterpart audio contacts 34,64 and lighting contacts 36,66 occurs. Moreover, the latch 20 mechanism works in conjunction with the lip 56 and groove 57 of the sleeve 40 to keep the sleeve 40 and receptacle 10 connected. This prevents inadvertent disconnection of the connector 1 during use, for example, when bumped or contacted by a user or other objects. While providing a robust electromechanical connection, the latch 20 simultaneously supports easy disconnection of the sleeve 40 from the receptacle 10 via the actuator 21. When a user wishes to remove or disconnect a microphone 80, he or she simply actuates the actuator 21 to disengage the latch 20, placing the connector 1 in unlocked state, and permitting removal of the sleeve 40 from the receptacle 10. This functionality supports easy removal of the microphone 80, for example, for servicing, maintenance, repair, or replacement. The disengagement further allows for a variety of microphones 80 to be used, and to have differing varieties of microphones 80 quickly and easily swapped out and replaced by disconnecting unwanted microphones 80 and reconnecting alternative microphones 80 to the various available receptacles 10 of a system.
Moreover, construction, configuration, and various components of the microphone connector 1 of the present invention support delivery of high quality audio signals by microphones 80 using such connectors 1. The microphone connector 1 provides excellent shielding from unwanted electrical and radio frequency interference, for example, from cellular phones which are active proximate to the microphones 80 and microphone connectors 1. The metal construction of the receptacle 10 support such improved shielding. Moreover, the contactor 22 positioned between the frame 16 and the housing 12 of the receptacle 10 and the sleeve 40 ensures excellent grounding of the entire receptacle 10 to the grounding tab 28, and creates a “grounding envelope” around the components of the receptacle 10 and sleeve 40, including the electrical blocks 30,60 therein. These and other features of the connector 1 minimize the impact of outside electrical and radio frequency devices, thereby preserving the high audio quality captured by the microphone 80.
The electrical blocks 30,60 used in the microphone connector 1 may be any variety of appropriate electrical connectors, plugs, jacks, or terminations. Preferably, the electrical blocks 30,60 are insulated such that the contacts 32,62 therein, once connected, are insulated from the other components of the microphone connector 1, such as the housing 12 and frame 16 of the receptacle 10, and the outer shell 42 and support 50 of the sleeve 40. In an embodiment, the electrical blocks 30,60 are mating plastic components (such as a plug and a jack) which house the internal contacts 32,62 therein. The contacts 32,62 may connect to wires which can be connected to other external components. Alternatively, the contacts 32,62 may connected to printed circuit boards where external connections may be made. The use of insulated electrical blocks 30,60 ensures that the audio signals being passed downstream by the audio contacts 32,62 and the lighting signals being passed upstream by the lighting contacts 34,64 of the electrical blocks 30,60 are not affected by outside unwanted electromagnetic interference, nor do the lighting signals and audio signals affect one another. When coupled with the grounding and shielding properties of the sleeve 40 and receptacle 10, the microphone connector 1 provides an excellent conduit for the audio and lighting signals via the insulated electrical blocks 30,60 and insulated wires and/or conductors connected thereto.
Any process descriptions or blocks in figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the embodiments of the invention in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.
This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the technology rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principle of the described technology and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the embodiments as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
