Throwable Microphone Motion-Based Muting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large conference or classroom settings, existing microphones often fail to effectively manage audio transmission during dynamic movements, such as throwing or changing orientations, leading to unwanted noise and interference.
Innovation Solution
A throwable microphone device equipped with a microphone, communication unit, motion sensor (accelerometer), and orientation sensor (gyroscope) that automatically mutes or unmutes based on acceleration and orientation thresholds, ensuring clear audio transmission by switching on or off the microphone and transmitter accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microphone continuously transmits audio signals, then audio coverage is maintained, but handling noise and interference increase during dynamic movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the transmission state based on real-time motion detection. The processor monitors accelerometer data and gyroscopic orientation data to determine when the device is being handled versus when it is stationary, switching between muted and unmuted states accordingly. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining transmission only when reliable (stationary) and muting when handling noise is likely (moving).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through motion sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) that continuously monitor device state and provide input to the processor. This feedback loop enables the system to detect throwing motions, orientation changes, and handling activities, automatically adjusting audio transmission to prevent noise while ensuring coverage when appropriate. The feedback mechanism allows real-time decision-making about transmission state based on actual device conditions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the microphone mutes during motion, then handling noise is reduced, but audio transmission is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission state is dynamically controlled based on motion characteristics. Rather than simple on/off muting, the system analyzes acceleration thresholds and orientation patterns to intelligently determine when muting is appropriate. This dynamic approach maintains transmission continuity during acceptable motion while interrupting only during handling activities that generate noise, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and transmission continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
Motion feedback from accelerometers and gyroscopes enables real-time adjustment of transmission state. The processor continuously evaluates sensor data to distinguish between intentional handling (requiring mute) and acceptable movement (allowing transmission). This feedback-driven approach ensures audio transmission remains continuous when reliability is not compromised while effectively muting during problematic handling events.
3Reliability
If motion sensors and orientation sensors are added, then audio quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting throwing motions, determining device orientation, identifying handling activities, and triggering appropriate transmission states. By making the sensor system multi-functional, the patent reduces overall device complexity while achieving improved audio quality through intelligent motion-based control. The same sensors that detect motion also provide orientation data needed for accurate mute/unmute decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines motion sensing and orientation sensing capabilities into a unified control system. The processor integrates data from both accelerometer and gyroscope to make comprehensive decisions about audio transmission state. This merging of sensor functions reduces the need for separate control systems and simplifies the overall architecture while maintaining high audio quality through sophisticated motion-aware transmission control.
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 device effectively reduces handling noise and ensures clear audio pickup by muting during throws or changes in orientation, enhancing audio quality and user experience in dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor, disposed in the housing that may detect changes in acceleration of the throwable microphone device
Implementation Method 2
an orientation sensor, disposed in the housing that may detect changes in orientation of the throwable microphone device
Implementation Method 3
a microphone that may be disposed in the housing, which may receive sound waves and generate a corresponding electrical audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention include a throwable microphone device. The throwable microphone device may comprise a housing. The throwable microphone device may include a microphone, a communication unit, a motion sensor, an orientation sensor, and a processor disposed within the housing. In some embodiments, the microphone may receive sound waves and generate a corresponding electrical audio signal. The communication unit may wirelessly transmit at least a portion of the electrical audio signals. The motion sensor may detect changes in acceleration of the throwable microphone device. The orientation sensor may detect changes in orientation of the throwable microphone device. The processor may be electrically coupled with the microphone, the communication unit, the motion sensor, and the orientation sensor. The processor may mute the throwable microphone device in response to data from the motion sensor and may also unmute the throwable microphone device in response to data from the orientation sensor.