Microphone Apparatus With Fixed Bi-Directional Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microphones with multiple unidirectional units require physical adjustments to change directional axes, which is cumbersome and difficult when the microphone is installed in fixed or hard-to-reach locations, such as ceilings or desks, limiting flexibility in sound collection configurations.

Innovation Solution

A microphone apparatus comprising one omnidirectional unit and three bi-directional units, where the bi-directional units are arranged on straight lines with 120-degree intervals and one unit perpendicular to the plane formed by the others, allowing for directional axis changes through electrical signal processing without physical repositioning of the units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the directions of microphone units are changed by physically changing the directions of the microphone units in the housing, then favorable sound collection can be realized, but the configuration becomes complicated and operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound collection qualityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically rotating or repositioning microphone units with an electrical signal processing system. By using signal processing techniques on the outputs of fixed omnidirectional and bi-directional microphone units, the system electronically synthesizes unidirectional characteristics in different directions without any mechanical movement or physical reconfiguration of the microphone units themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes a single fixed microphone configuration serve multiple directional functions. The combination of one omnidirectional microphone unit and two bi-directional microphone units, through various signal processing combinations, can produce unidirectional sound collection in multiple different directions, allowing one physical configuration to perform the function of multiple physically oriented microphones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the microphone is installed in fixed locations such as ceilings or desks, then stable installation is achieved, but the ability to change directional axes becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation stabilityVSAvoiddirectional adjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for mechanical adjustment mechanisms by using electrical signal processing to change directional characteristics. The microphone can be installed in fixed locations without any mechanical parts that need adjustment, and the directional axes can be changed by processing the electrical signals from the fixed microphone units rather than physically moving the units themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to a static physical configuration. While the physical microphone units remain fixed in position, the system dynamically changes its directional characteristics through signal processing, allowing the same fixed installation to adapt to different sound collection requirements by electronically adjusting which directions are emphasized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If physical mechanisms are provided to change directional axes, then directional adjustment is possible, but the configuration becomes complicated and user operation is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional axis change capabilityVSAvoiduser operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electrical signal processing. Instead of requiring users to physically rotate or reposition microphone units through mechanical means, the system allows directional changes by processing the electrical outputs of fixed microphone units, eliminating the need for user interaction with mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system can automatically perform directional adjustments through signal processing without requiring user intervention. The microphone units remain fixed while the signal processing system independently determines and implements the appropriate directional characteristics based on the fixed geometric relationships between the omnidirectional and bi-directional units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9924264B2Microphone and microphone apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 AUDIO TECHNICA CORP

AI summary

A microphone includes: first and second bi-directional microphone units having respective directional axes arranged on two straight lines passing through one point and radially extending with an interval of 120 degrees; a third bi-directional microphone unit having a directional axis arranged on a straight line perpendicular to a plane formed by the two straight lines; and an omnidirectional microphone unit arranged in sound collection regions of the first, second, and third bi-directional microphone units.