Patent ID: 8223981
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A microphone system for processing an audio signal, the microphone system comprising: a first microphone for producing a first signal and having a first dynamic range, wherein the first dynamic range has a first noise floor and a first top-end; a second microphone for producing a second signal and having a second dynamic range, wherein the second dynamic range has a second noise floor and a second top-end, and wherein the first noise floor is less than the second noise floor, the second top-end is greater than the first top end, and wherein the first dynamic range overlaps the second dynamic range; a system output; and a selector operably coupled to the first microphone and the second microphone, the selector configured to selectively couple the first signal to the system output when the amplitude of the audio signal crosses below a first threshold, and to couple the second signal to the system output when the amplitude of the audio signal crosses above a second threshold such that the dynamic range of the microphone system is greater than the dynamic range of the first microphone and is also greater than the dynamic range of the second microphone.