Automatic identification of a wireless microphone, bodypack transmitter or bodypack receiver

Abstract

Wireless microphone or bodypack transmitter (400) with an audio input, wherein the microphone or bodypack transmitter has a transmitter and a receiver for wirelessly exchanging data with a remote station (131-135), and wherein an alphanumeric identifier of a radio transmission channel used for this purpose is displayed on the switched-on microphone or bodypack transmitter (410), wherein the identifier contains a name or an IP address, was entered on the remote station or on a mixer (140) connected thereto and was wirelessly transmitted to the switched-on microphone or bodypack transmitter, and wherein the display of the identifier is retained even when the microphone or bodypack transmitter is switched off.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an automatic marking of a wireless microphone, a bodypack transmitter with an audio input or a bodypack receiver for audio playback via an earphone, and a corresponding method. background

[0002] Wireless audio transmission systems for stage equipment typically include several mobile devices, such as wireless microphones, bodypack transmitters with audio input for microphones or guitar pickups, and bodypack receivers with audio output, e.g., for monitor earphones (in-ear monitors). These different mobile devices use different radio channels or frequencies.

[0003] Normally, wireless microphones, bodypack transmitters, and receivers used simultaneously are assigned to different artists, instruments, or stage positions and individually programmed accordingly. This includes, for example, pairing with a designated transmitter or receiver as the counterpart. This assignment is also important for connecting to a mixing console and is set and verified during a soundcheck, which usually takes place several hours before a performance. Since the wireless microphones, bodypack transmitters, and receivers used simultaneously usually look identical, they may contain electronic displays (e.g., LCD, LED) that show the currently used radio frequency, channel, or other alphanumeric information (e.g., the name of the artist to whom the device is assigned, or a position such as "Background 1," "Background 2," etc.).This makes it easier to assign pre-programmed mobile devices to the corresponding artist or instrument during the performance.

[0004] However, this creates the problem that the displays only function, and therefore the device identification is only visible, when the mobile devices are switched on. Between soundcheck and performance, however, the mobile devices are often switched off and collected, for example, for safekeeping or to recharge their batteries. While each mobile device stores the displayed information internally, this information is not visible on a switched-off device. If a specific mobile device is needed, all devices may have to be switched on to retrieve the identification information and locate the required device. In practice, the mobile devices are therefore often marked with handwritten stickers, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. For example, stickers can come loose, be mixed up, or the handwriting can be illegible. EP 1 617 397 A2 shows a display device for electrical equipment. DE 698 14 410 T2 shows a display device for electronic devices. WO 2010 / 022759 A1 shows an electronic display device. DE 11 2011 103 848 B4 shows a display device for electronic devices. EP 2 837 978 A1 shows an electronic display device for electrical equipment. DE 20 2012 009445 U1 shows a field device with a display device. GB 2507962 A indicates a fault diagnosis for electrical devices. US 2002 / 063631 A1 shows a display device for electrical equipment. DE 102 30 559 A1 shows a display device for electronic devices. Summary of the invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an automatic marking for a mobile audio device, such as a wireless microphone, a bodypack transmitter with audio input or a bodypack receiver for an earphone.

[0006] The invention offers an automated solution for the aforementioned problem.

[0007] According to the invention, a wireless microphone or a wireless bodypack transmitter with an audio output is provided, wherein the microphone or bodypack transmitter has a transmitter and receiver for exchanging wireless data with a remote station. An alphanumeric identifier of the radio transmission channel used for this purpose is displayed on the switched-on microphone or bodypack transmitter. The identifier includes a name or an IP address that was specified at the remote station or a mixer connected to it and wirelessly transmitted to the switched-on microphone or bodypack transmitter. The identifier remains displayed even when the microphone or bodypack transmitter is switched off.

[0008] A mobile audio device with a display is provided that continues to show the last displayed information for at least a few hours, even when the power supply is switched off. This information includes alphanumeric identification details, such as the transmission channel used, indicated by a transmission frequency, channel number, or text. This ensures that the identification information remains readable even after the microphone, bodypack transmitter, or bodypack receiver is switched off, for example, when changing the battery. Furthermore, a specific mobile device can be located more easily and quickly among a group of switched-off devices because each device does not need to be individually switched on to read its display.

[0009] A wireless microphone or a bodypack transmitter with audio input according to the invention is specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are described in claims 2 to 6. A wireless receiver according to the invention is specified in claim 7. The further embodiments of claims 2 to 6 are also applicable mutatis mutandis to the wireless receiver according to claim 7.

[0010] Claim 8 relates to an audio transmission system with multiple mobile devices according to the invention. Claim 9 relates to a corresponding method for automatically identifying a wireless microphone, bodypack transmitter, or bodypack receiver by means of a display. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Further details and advantageous embodiments are shown in the drawings. These show Fig. 1. An audio transmission system with three wireless microphone links, Fig. 2 an audio transmission system comprising a wireless microphone system, a bodypack receiver for a monitor earphone and a bodypack transmitter for guitar pickups, Fig. 3 a wireless microphone according to the invention with an alphanumeric display in the switched-on and switched-off states, and Fig. 4 a pocket transmitter according to the invention with alphanumeric display in the switched-on and switched-off state. Detailed description of the invention

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 shows an audio transmission system 100 with three wireless microphone links. The wireless microphones 101, 102, 103 are each connected to their respective counterpart stations 131, 132, 133 via a radio link 121, 122, 123, the radio links using different frequencies or channels. The counterpart stations 131-133 are connected to a common mixing console 140. The assignment of the input channels of the mixing console to the microphones 101-103 must be identifiable or known. Each microphone has a display 111-113 for showing at least one individual identification piece of information for the transmission link 121-123, e.g., the respective radio channel Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3.Since, in this example, each corresponding remote station 131-133 also has a display showing the respective radio channel, and each remote station can easily be assigned to an input channel of the mixing console 140 via a cable connection, each microphone can also be easily assigned to an input channel on the mixing console 140. During the setup and initialization of the audio transmission system 100, remote stations 131-133 are assigned to the input channels on the mixing console, the wireless microphones are paired with the remote stations, and the transmission links are assigned their radio frequencies. These assignments can differ for each setup, even if the same devices are used, because, for example, the reception conditions, the permitted and available radio frequencies, or radio channels can vary. After setup and initialization, each wireless microphone has its own individual identification information.The identification information ultimately originates from the respective receiving station or mixing console. This information can be sent from the receiving station to the wireless microphone so that it can display the information. For this purpose, the aforementioned radio link 121-123 or another connection can be used, e.g., an infrared (IR) or similar connection used only for pairing. The information can also be used to configure the transmitter contained in the wireless microphone, which operates the radio link 121-123, and can additionally be used for display on the screen 111-113. According to the invention, the screen 111-113 displays the identification information not only when switched on, but the display also remains active when the wireless microphone is switched off.

[0013] Alternatively to the one in Fig. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1 with separate receiving stations, it is also possible for two or more, or all, wireless microphones 101-103 to communicate with a single receiving station via radio links. In this case, the wireless microphones can also use the same frequencies or channels, e.g., via time-division multiplexing.

[0014] Fig. Figure 2 shows a similar audio transmission system 100a, which, however, only includes a wireless microphone 101, a bodypack receiver 104 for a monitor earphone 104a, and a bodypack transmitter 105 for an instrument pickup (e.g., guitar pickup) 105a. The bodypack receiver 104 and bodypack transmitter 105 are also referred to as a "bodypack." In contrast to the audio transmission system 100, Fig. 1. Here, radio links for audio data transmission are used not only from mobile devices 101 and 105 to their respective counterparts 131 and 135, which can then forward the audio data to the mixing console 140, but also, in the case of the pocket receiver, for audio data transmission from a counterpart 134 to the associated mobile device 104. The counterpart 134 can receive the audio data from the mixing console. Here, too, the mobile devices 101, 104, and 105 have displays 111, 114, and 115, which show individual identification information for the respective radio connection, both when the mobile device is switched on and off. When the mobile device is switched on, the display can be updated, while when the mobile device is switched off, the information last displayed before switching off remains visible on the display 111, 114, or 115. Alternatively, after switching off, a different, pre-configured piece of information can be shown on display 111, 114, 115.

[0015] Instead of the in Fig. 1 and Fig. In addition to the two exemplary channel numbers shown, the individual identification information can also include radio frequencies or other individual alphanumeric text. The individual alphanumeric text can be entered directly on the mobile device, at the respective remote station, or at the mixing console, or retrieved from memory. In one embodiment, the remote stations or the mixing console contain a comparison unit that receives the individual alphanumeric texts, compares them, and displays or prevents duplicate assignments to ensure unambiguous identification. Fig. 1 and Fig. Furthermore, examples 2 are exemplary in that in many cases significantly more mobile devices are connected, but the principle described above is used. Particularly in extensive audio transmission systems with numerous mobile devices, it is advantageous that the individual mobile devices according to the invention can be distinguished from one another even when switched off.

[0016] Fig. Figure 3 shows a wireless microphone 101 with a display 111 for alphanumeric display. When the microphone is switched on, the display shows the current configuration, and this configuration is retained when the microphone is switched off. In this example, individual identification information, which can be entered at the remote station or mixing console, can be transmitted to the microphone via a wireless duplex connection. The display 111 contains this individual identification information, for example, the name 301 of a singer to whom the microphone is assigned. Additionally, the display includes a symbol 302 indicating the quality of the wireless connection to the remote station (e.g., the received signal strength of the duplex connection) and a symbol 303 indicating the battery charge level. At least the individual identification information 301 remains visible on the display when the microphone is switched off.Depending on the design and display technology, the entire display may remain visible even after the power is switched off.

[0017] In one embodiment, the electronic display retains the last displayed label after being switched off, even without a power supply. The mobile device's display can be designed as so-called electronic paper (e-paper, e-ink), i.e., a passive display based on the principle of electrophoresis. Microcells containing positively or negatively charged light and dark particles serve as the display's pixels. When the display is switched on, the microcells are exposed to an electric field. Depending on the field's polarity, either the light or dark particles move to the visible side of the microcell, making the pixel appear either light or dark. By individually controlling the electric field for each microcell, each pixel of the display can be made light or dark separately.When the mobile device and thus the display are switched off, the particles remain in their position, so that the last displayed information remains visible on the screen for a very long time. With currently known electronic paper, the display can remain visible for several days.

[0018] In another embodiment, the electronic display has its own power supply, which can provide sufficient energy to display the markings for at least several hours. The display can, for example, be a low-power liquid crystal display (LCD) or similar device, which has its own power supply, such as a capacitor, to maintain the displayed information for at least several hours.

[0019] In one embodiment, the invention relates to a mobile wireless transmitter (bodypack transmitter) within an audio transmission system, wherein the transmitter has a display for showing an automatic alphanumeric identification of the wireless connection in use, and wherein the identification is displayed on the transmitter when switched on, and wherein the display of the identification remains visible even when the transmitter is switched off. Such a bodypack transmitter is in Fig. Figure 4 shows the device (without a microphone or instrument pickup to be connected). On the left, an illuminated status LED 421 on the bodypack transmitter 400 indicates that the transmitter is switched on. The display 410 shows current alphanumeric text, in this case the name of the artist to whom the bodypack transmitter is assigned, as entered at the remote station. If the information changes, for example, due to reprogramming or reconfiguration of the audio transmission system, the displayed alphanumeric text may also change. When the bodypack transmitter is switched off, as indicated on the right by a switched-off status LED 422, the alphanumeric text remains readable on the display 410. The alphanumeric text can also be, for example, a number, a letter, or a symbol to identify the mobile bodypack transmitter or its associated wireless connection.

[0020] In another embodiment, the invention relates to a mobile wireless receiver (pocket receiver) within an audio transmission system, wherein the receiver has a display for showing an automatic alphanumeric identification of the wireless connection in use. The identification is displayed on the switched-on receiver, and the display of the identification remains visible even after the receiver is switched off. Externally, such a pocket receiver can, for example, resemble the one in Fig. 4 pocket transmitters shown, or look very similar.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the invention relates to an audio transmission system with several wireless mobile transmitters and / or receivers, wherein the transmitters and / or receivers each have a display for showing an automatic alphanumeric identifier of the wireless connection in use. The identifier is displayed on the switched-on transmitter and / or receiver, and the display of the identifier remains visible even when the transmitter and / or receiver is switched off.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method for automatically identifying a wireless microphone, bodypack transmitter, or bodypack receiver by means of an automatic display, wherein the display shows identification information, and wherein the displayed identification information remains visible on the display even when the microphone, bodypack transmitter, or bodypack receiver is switched off. This allows the switched-off microphone, bodypack transmitter, or bodypack receiver to be identified without having to be switched on first.

[0023] The invention is advantageous for stage personnel, e.g. stage technicians and artists, but also for rental companies and users of wireless audio transmission systems.

[0024] The displayed information can also include, for example, device-specific values ​​for managing and identifying the device, such as the device's current or last IP address, the current firmware version, or the network hostname. This makes the invention particularly advantageous for system integrators and IT integrators.

Claims

[1] Wireless microphone or bodypack transmitter (400) with an audio input, wherein the microphone or bodypack transmitter has a transmitter and a receiver for wirelessly exchanging data with a remote station (131-135), and wherein an alphanumeric identifier of a radio transmission channel used for this purpose is displayed on the switched-on microphone or bodypack transmitter (410), wherein the identifier contains a name or an IP address, was entered on the remote station or on a mixer (140) connected thereto and was wirelessly transmitted to the switched-on microphone or bodypack transmitter, and wherein the display of the identifier is retained even when the microphone or bodypack transmitter is switched off. [2] Microphone or bodypack transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the microphone or bodypack transmitter has an electronic display to show the marking. [3] Microphone or bodypack transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the electronic display retains and continues to display the last displayed marking after being switched off without power supply. [4] Microphone or bodypack transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the electronic display has its own power supply which can provide the display with sufficient energy for at least several hours to show the marking. [5] Microphone or bodypack transmitter according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the microphone or bodypack transmitter is connected to the remote station via a radio transmission channel which is operated as a duplex connection. [6] Microphone or bodypack transmitter according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the characterization also includes a radio frequency or radio channel for wireless transmission. [7] Wireless receiver for audio playback via an earphone, wherein the receiver can receive data from a remote station via a radio link, and wherein the receiver has a display for showing an alphanumeric identifier of the transmission channel used, wherein the identifier contains a name or an IP address and was entered at the remote station or at a mixer (140) connected thereto and transmitted wirelessly to the receiver, wherein the identifier is displayed on the receiver when switched on, and wherein the display of the identifier is retained even when the receiver is switched off. [8] Audio transmission system (100, 100a) comprising two or more mobile devices (101 - 105) and at least one counterpart station, wherein the mobile devices are wireless microphones or bodypack transmitters according to any one of claims 1-6 or wireless receivers according to claim 7. [9] Method for automatically identifying a wireless microphone (101), bodypack transmitter (104,400) or bodypack receiver (105) by means of a display showing identification information, comprising the steps - Connecting the microphone, bodypack transmitter or bodypack receiver via a radio link (121, 141, 151) to a remote station (131 - 135); - Receiving the identification information entered at the remote station or at a mixer (140) connected to it, which is specific to the respective microphone, bodypack transmitter or bodypack receiver, via the radio link (121, 141, 151), wherein the identification information contains a name or an IP address; - Displaying the identification information on an electronic display (111, 114, 115) on the switched-on microphone, bodypack transmitter or bodypack receiver, whereby the displayed identification information remains visible on the display even when the microphone, bodypack transmitter or bodypack receiver is switched off. [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein the identification information displayed after switching off is the same as that which was last displayed before switching off. [11] Method according to one of claims 9-10, wherein the microphone, the bodypack transmitter or the bodypack receiver is connected to the remote station via a radio transmission channel which is operated as a duplex connection.

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