Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20070160228A1/en
Timestamp: 2018-08-20 07:53:29
Document Index: 618031140

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 260', 'art 240', 'art 221', 'art 221', 'art 260', 'art 240', 'art 270', 'art 250', 'art 250', 'art 270', 'art 240', 'art 260', 'art 240', 'art 250', 'art 250', 'art 621', 'art 640', 'art 650', 'art.\n3', 'art.\n5']

US20070160228A1 - Audio signal input and output apparatus - Google Patents
Audio signal input and output apparatus Download PDF
US20070160228A1
US20070160228A1 US11625835 US62583507A US20070160228A1 US 20070160228 A1 US20070160228 A1 US 20070160228A1 US 11625835 US11625835 US 11625835 US 62583507 A US62583507 A US 62583507A US 20070160228 A1 US20070160228 A1 US 20070160228A1
US11625835
Sung-Kai Yang
Yu-Hsi Lan
An audio signal input and output apparatus includes a microphone array, a mounting part, and a main body. The mounting part is connected to the microphone array. The main body electrically connects an electronic device and the microphone array. The microphone array sends out a first audio signal through the main body to the electronic device.
The invention relates to an audio signal input and output apparatus.
Microphones are the most commonly used audio signal input apparatuses. Referring to FIG. 1, an externally connected microphone module 11 stands on a surface via a base 12 thereof. The microphone module 11 contains an omni-directional microphone or a uni-directional microphone 18 to receive sound. In operation, the microphone module 11 is connected to, for example, a notebook computer (not shown) through an audio cable 14 for internet communication or sound recording.
In this case, a single microphone 18 receiving sound is susceptible to unwanted environmental noise, and echo is possible. Thus, the quality of received sound is often poor.
The invention provides a high-quality audio signal input and output apparatus capable of receiving sound, outputting audio signal, and even serving as a hub.
The audio signal input and output apparatus of the invention includes a microphone array, a mounting part, and a main body. The mounting part is connected to the microphone array. The main body electrically connects an electronic device and the microphone array. The microphone array sends out a first audio signal through the main body to the electronic device.
The mounting part may be a clip and the microphone array is mounted on the electronic device through the mounting part.
The mounting part may be a bar and the microphone array connects to the main body through the bar.
The audio signal input and output apparatus may further include a loudspeaker disposed outside the main body to receive a second audio signal from the electronic device through the main body.
The audio signal input and output apparatus may further include a loudspeaker disposed in the main body to receive a second audio signal from the electronic device.
The audio signal input and output apparatus may further include a power cable connecting to the main body. The power cable may be a universal serial bus (USB) cable.
The audio signal input and output apparatus may further include a battery disposed in the main body.
The main body may include a hub comprising a plurality of USB ports.
FIG. 1 depicts an externally connected microphone module;
FIG. 2 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 5 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the audio signal input and output apparatus 20 is externally connected to an electronic device, for example a desktop computer 30. In operation the audio signal input and output apparatus 20 receives sound via microphone array 220 and then sends out an audio signal to the desktop computer 30, or receives an audio signal from the desktop computer 30 and then outputs sound via loudspeaker 230.
The audio signal input and output apparatus 20 includes a main body 210, a digital signal processor (DSP) 211 disposed in the main body 210, and a power cable 216 connecting to the main body 210 for supplying power to the digital signal processor (DSP) 211. In the first embodiment, the power cable 216 is a universal serial bus (USB) cable introducing external power to the digital signal processor (DSP) 211. The power cable 216, however, can be replaced with a battery (not shown) disposed in the main body 210 to supply power.
The main body 210 includes sound input jacks 213 and 214 and sound output jacks 212 and 215 for connection between the microphone array 220, the main tower 32 of the desktop computer 30, and the loudspeaker 230, as described in detail in the following.
The microphone array 220 and the sound input jack 214 are connected by a first connecting part 260. The microphone jack 33 on the back of the main tower 32 and the sound output jack 212 are connected by a second connecting part 240. The microphone array 220 is connected to a mounting part 221. In the first embodiment, the mounting part 221 is a clip for fastening the microphone array 220 to the display 31 or other parts of the desktop computer 30. During operation, the microphone array 220 receives sound and then sends an audio signal through the first connecting part 260 to the main body 210. The digital signal processor 211 in the main body 210 executes beam-forming, noise suppression, and echo cancellation on the audio signal to obtain a processed audio signal. The processed audio signal is then transmitted through the second connecting part 240 to the main tower 32 of the desktop computer 30.
The loudspeaker 230 and the sound output jack 215 of the main body 210 are further connected by a third connecting part 270. The headphone jack 34 at the rear of the main tower 32 and the sound input jack 213 are connected by a fourth connecting part 250. During operation, the main tower 32 sends an audio signal through the headphone jack 34 and the fourth connecting part 250 to the main body 210. The digital signal processor 211 processes the audio signal and obtains a processed audio signal. The loudspeaker 230 receives the processed audio signal through the third connecting part 270 and subsequently outputs the audio signal.
The electronic device is a desktop computer in the first embodiment. It is understood, however, that the electronic device may be a notebook computer, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a global positioning system (GPS),or similar.
FIG. 3 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus 20′ in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the same references will be used for elements which are identical or similar to those in FIG. 2 and the descriptions thereof are omitted. In the second embodiment, the microphone jack 53 at the rear of a notebook computer 50 and the sound output jack 212 are connected by the second connecting part 240. During operation, the microphone array 220 receives sound and sends an audio signal through the first connecting part 260 to the main body 210. The digital signal processor 211 in the main body 210 executes beam-forming, noise suppression, and echo cancellation on the audio signal to obtain a processed audio signal. The processed audio signal is then transmitted through the second connecting part 240 to the notebook computer 50.
The headphone jack 54 of the notebook computer 50 and the sound input jack 213 of the main body 210 are connected by the fourth connecting part 250. Note that in the second embodiment the loudspeaker 217 is disposed inside, rather than outside, the main body 210. During operation, the notebook computer 50 sends an audio signal through the fourth connecting part 250 to the main body 210. The digital signal processor 211 processes the audio signal for the loudspeaker 230 to output audio.
FIG. 4 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus 20″ in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the same references will be used for elements which are identical or similar to those in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the third embodiment, the main body 210 serves as a hub and is provided with a plurality of USB ports 218 for connecting to USB devices.
FIG. 5 depicts an audio signal input and output apparatus 60 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the mounting part 621 is a bar connected to the main body 610 to support the microphone array 620. The main body 610 has a sound input jack 613 and a sound output jack 612 connected to an electronic device through the second connecting part 640 and the fourth connecting part 650 for transmitting audio signal therebetween. The main body 610 comprises a plurality of USB ports 618 for accommodating USB devices, a digital signal processor 611 for processing the audio signal, and a loudspeaker 617 for generating audio output. A power cable 616 extends out of the main body 610 for connection to an external power source to supply power.
From the previous descriptions, it is understood that the invention provides a high-quality audio signal input and output apparatus capable of receiving sound, outputting audio signal, and even serving as a hub.
an audio input and output apparatus externally connected to the electronic device, comprising a microphone array, a mounting part connecting to the microphone array, and a main body electrically connecting the electronic device and the microphone array, wherein the microphone array transmits a first audio signal through the main body to the electronic device.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microphone array is mounted on the electronic device through the mounting part.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting part is a clip.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microphone array connects to the main body via the mounting part.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mounting part is a bar.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio signal input and output apparatus further comprises a loudspeaker disposed outside the main body to receive a second audio signal from the electronic device through the main body.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio signal input and output apparatus further comprises a loudspeaker disposed in the main body to receive a second audio signal from the electronic device.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio signal input and output apparatus further comprises a power cable connecting to the main body.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the power cable is a universal serial bus cable.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio signal input and output apparatus further comprises a battery disposed in the main body.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a hub.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hub comprises a plurality of universal serial bus ports.
US11625835 2006-01-08 2007-01-23 Audio signal input and output apparatus Abandoned US20070160228A1 (en)
TW95128123 2006-01-08
TW95128123 2006-08-01
US20070160228A1 true true US20070160228A1 (en) 2007-07-12
ID=38232775
US11625835 Abandoned US20070160228A1 (en) 2006-01-08 2007-01-23 Audio signal input and output apparatus
US (1) US20070160228A1 (en)
WO2009025670A1 (en) * 2007-08-23 2009-02-26 Fortemedia, Inc. An eloctronic device with an internal microphone array
US20070127759A1 (en) 2007-06-07 Microphone array in housing receiving sound via guide tube
US20070205996A1 (en) 2007-09-06 Pen-type computer
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:YANG, SUNG-KAI;LAN, YU-HSI;REEL/FRAME:018789/0169