Microphone system and methods
AssigneeFreedman Electronics Pty Ltd
InventorsPieter Schillebeeckx, Dominik Peklo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to the field of microphones, and more particularly to a microphone including an analog port and a digital port through which audio may be output. The microphone may be configured to obtain power from a host device and may include circuitry for selectively routing audio signals to the one or more ports. Advantageously, the microphone may be configured to connect with a variety of host devices and may facilitate functioning as a USB microphone via the digital port, while the analog port may be used as a headphone output.
Claims20
A microphone comprising:
- a capsule configured to receive an audio signal;
- an analog port;
- a digital port electrically connected to processing circuitry, wherein said analog port and said digital port are arranged to face opposing directions on a printed circuit board mounted on a semi-cylindrical portion of a spine assembly, said printed circuit board including one or more openings shaped to receive one or more clips extending upwardly from said semi-cylindrical portion, wherein one or more wires pass through an aperture in the one or more clips for coupling said capsule to said printed circuit board;
- a switching circuit electrically connected to the capsule, said analog port, and said processing circuitry for selectively routing said audio signal;
- wherein said switching circuit, in a normally closed position, is configured to route said audio signal directly to said analog port;
- and
- wherein said switching circuit, in a normally open position, is configured to route said audio signal to said processing circuitry, said circuitry configured to process and route said audio signal to least one of said analog port and said digital port.
A method for switching the path of an audio signal in a microphone, the method comprising:
- connecting a host device to said microphone, said microphone including an analog port and a digital port, wherein said analog port and said digital port are arranged to face opposing directions on a printed circuit board mounted on a semi-cylindrical portion of a spine assembly, said printed circuit board including one or more openings shaped to receive one or more clips extending upwardly from said semi-cylindrical portion of said spine assembly, wherein one or more wires pass through an aperture in the one or more clips for coupling said printed circuit board to a capsule;
- receiving an audio signal via said microphone, said microphone including a default configuration for routing said audio signal to said analog port;
- and
- switching the default configuration, upon detection of a connection of the host device to said digital port, such that said audio signal is processed via processing circuitry for output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.