Ceiling microphone assembly

Abstract

A microphone assembly using a plurality of unidirectional microphone elements is proposed. Mount this microphone assembly overhead, usually above all desired sources and below undesired sources. Signals from the plurality of microphone elements are provided to a microphone operations processor which can mix and gate the signals to ensure an optimal signal / noise ratio. The operational processor can also dynamically track audio sources when such tracking (source localization) is required. The resulting audio signal from the operational processor may be further processed, such as echo cancellation, noise reduction and automatic gain control.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 621,743 (Attorney Docket No. 199-0402PUS), filed October 25, 2004, having the same title and assigned to the same assignee, which is incorporated herein as refer to. technical field [0002] The present invention generally relates to microphone assemblies in systems requiring the conversion of sound waves into electrical signals. Background technique [0003] Microphones are a fundamental and necessary element in any audio system. There are many types of microphones currently in use. Usually, such as figure 1 listed, which are classified into four categories. The first type is omnidirectional microphones 102 . It has a uniform polar response, that is, it accepts sound waves from any direction and produces an electrical signal with the same gain. The second type of microphone (dipolar microphone 104) may respond to sound waves coming primarily from two opposite directions. Sound waves ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

But this type of arrangement complicates the meeting room and clutters the room

[0006] While it is generally acceptable that a person may have to hold a microphone while lecturing in a large auditorium, it is still unnatural and inconvenient

In a meeting situation, this is even worse

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