Light Adaptor for Microphone Speaker Queuing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-speaker environments, existing microphones lack efficient mechanisms for managing speaker queuing and microphone activation, leading to inefficiencies and frustration in meetings, as they often rely on physical movement and manual tracking of microphone usage.

Innovation Solution

A light adaptor that can be installed between a microphone base and head, featuring a controllable light source controlled via communication between the base and adaptor, allowing for queue management and activation status indication, while maintaining audio and power signal connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single microphone is used in multi-speaker environments, then equipment cost is reduced, but speaker queuing management becomes inefficient and awkward

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of microphonesVSAvoidspeaker queuing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light adaptor as an intermediary component that connects between the microphone base and head. This adaptor receives control signals from the base and translates them into visual light indicators, mediating the communication between the microphone system and users to enable efficient speaker queuing management without requiring additional microphones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color-changing LED lights in the adaptor to indicate different speaker queue states. Different colors represent different statuses (e.g., green for active speaker, red for waiting), providing intuitive visual feedback that improves speaker queuing efficiency while maintaining a single microphone setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Productivity

If multiple microphones are used for multiple speakers, then speaker queuing capability is improved, but tracking and managing microphone activation becomes difficult and frustrating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker queuing capabilityVSAvoidmicrophone tracking complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color-coded LED indicators in the light adaptor to clearly distinguish activation status. When a microphone is activated, the corresponding light changes color to indicate the active speaker, making it easy for moderators and technicians to track which microphone is currently in use without confusion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements visual feedback through the light adaptor that immediately responds to microphone activation status. The lights provide real-time information about which microphone is active, creating a feedback loop that helps moderators and technicians easily manage and track microphone usage across multiple devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If existing microphones are upgraded with light indicators, then speaker queuing efficiency is improved, but purchasing new proprietary equipment is avoided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker queuing efficiencyVSAvoidretrofitting feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the microphone system into separate functional components: the existing microphone base, the microphone head, and the new light adaptor. This segmentation allows the adaptor to be independently installed between the base and head, enabling retrofitting of existing microphones without requiring complete system replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light adaptor is designed as a universal component that can be installed on existing microphone models. It serves multiple functions: receiving control signals from the base, processing these signals, and providing visual feedback through LED lights, thereby enhancing existing microphones with speaker queuing capabilities without requiring proprietary new equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The light adaptor simplifies speaker queuing by visually indicating a speaker's turn and microphone activation status, reducing confusion and inefficiency, and can be retrofitted onto existing microphones, eliminating the need for new equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a light source in communication with the processor. The light source may be controllable by the processor based on data received from the microphone base through the communications interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS11683625B2Light adaptor for microphones
Publication Date: 2023.06.20 SHURE ACQUISITION HLDG INC
  • US11683625B2 patent drawing
  • US11683625B2 patent drawing
  • US11683625B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A light adaptor is provided that can be installed between the base and the head of a microphone and is controllable by communications between the base and the adaptor. The light adaptor may assist in the control of speaker queuing and other functions.