Wireless Audio Terminal Unit for Multiple Mix Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current audio monitoring systems for stage performers can only store one frequency setting at a time, requiring time-consuming reconfiguration to receive additional mixes and leading to interruptions if a terminal unit fails during a performance.

Innovation Solution

A terminal unit capable of wirelessly receiving and storing multiple mix transmission data sets from base units, allowing users to select and output audio signals from different frequencies using a user-input device, with optional features like infrared syncing and interference detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a terminal unit stores only one frequency setting at a time, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to reconfiguration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal unit configurationVSAvoidreconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal unit is pre-configured with multiple frequency settings and mix data from different base units before the performance begins. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming reconfiguration during the performance, allowing the sound engineer to quickly switch between mixes by simply selecting different stored frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a terminal unit stores multiple mix transmission data sets, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemix selection capabilityVSAvoidterminal unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal unit is designed with multi-functionality to store and access multiple frequency settings and mix data sets from different base units. This universal design allows a single terminal unit to serve multiple purposes - receiving and switching between various mixes - without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.

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

3Ease of operation

If on stage monitors are used to provide audio feedback, then the ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to noise exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio monitoring setupVSAvoidnoise exposure to performers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The audio monitoring signal is extracted from the general stage sound environment and delivered directly to individual performers through personal terminal units and earphones. This extraction removes the monitoring audio from the harmful high-volume stage sound field, allowing performers to hear their mixes at safe volume levels without exposure to the intense overall stage noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If traditional on stage monitors are used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to feedback issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring system setupVSAvoidaudio transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless transmission serves as an intermediary between the base units and terminal units, eliminating the need for physical proximity and direct acoustic coupling that causes feedback in traditional monitor systems. This intermediary wireless link provides reliable audio transmission without the feedback issues inherent in acoustic coupling, while still maintaining ease of operation through simple device placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2491730B1Audio Monitoring system
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 SHURE ACQUISITION HLDG INC
  • EP2491730B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2491730B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2491730B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

An audio monitoring system for an audio performance consists of one or more terminal units and one or more base units. The base units are configured to send transmission data consisting of channel labels, frequencies, and mix identifiers to the terminal units. The terminal units are configured to receive and store the transmission data. The terminal units permit a user to select the stored transmission data and to display the transmission data on a user display. The terminal units can receive audio signals from the base units over the stored frequencies and are configured to output the corresponding audio signals to a sound transmission device.