Directional microphone assembly

A microphone assembly including an electroacoustic transducer having a diaphragm which moves in response to sound pressures being applied to opposite surfaces thereof, said electroacoustic transducer being housed in a rigid capsule having acoustic openings which admit sound pressure to each of diaphragm's surfaces, the capsule being supported on its perimeter by an acoustically opaque, resilient material that forms a seal with the capsule, the resilient material including identically shaped first and second acoustic waveguides molded therein, each having only one input port, for guiding sound waves that effectively emanate from first and second point sources, respectively located at the input ports of the acoustic waveguides, and for exclusively communicating same to the opposite surfaces of the diaphragm;

• whereby the effective spacing between said acoustic openings is increased.

In combination:

• a first-order-gradient microphone including a diaphragm having first and second surfaces that cooperate to move the diaphragm in response to differential sound pressure between said first and second surfaces, and to generate an electrical signal in response to movements of the diaphragm;
• and
• resilient means for housing the first-order-gradient microphone and forming a seal around an outside surface thereof, said resilient means being acoustically opaque and including identically shaped first and second acoustic waveguides therein, each having only one input port, for respectively guiding sound pressure variations that effectively emanate from first and second point sources located at the input port of an opening to its respective acoustic waveguide, and for exclusively communicating same onto the first and second surfaces of the diaphragm through an acoustically transparent medium.

A housing for supporting a microphone element within a cavity located therein, said housing being made from resilient, acoustically opaque material, the housing further including:

• a first acoustic waveguide, having only one input port, for guiding sound pressure variations effectively emanating substantially from a point source at the input port of the first acoustic waveguide, through an acoustically transparent medium, and for exclusively communicating same into the cavity of the housing;
• and
• a second acoustic waveguide, identical in shape to the first acoustic waveguide and having only one input port, for guiding sound pressure variations, effectively emanating from a point source at the input port of the second acoustic waveguide, through an acoustically transparent medium, and for exclusively communicating same into the cavity of the housing

Loudspeaking telephone apparatus comprising a loudspeaker for converting electrical signals into audible sounds, and at least one microphone for converting audible sounds into electrical signals, the microphone comprising a first-order-gradient microphone element having acoustic openings on opposite sides of a single diaphragm, the microphone element being enclosed within a low profile housing made from a resilient, acoustically opaque material, the housing having a first acoustic waveguide molded therein, having only one input port, for guiding sound pressure variations, effectively emanating from a point source at the input port of the first acoustic waveguide, and for exclusively communicating same to one side of the diaphragm, and a second acoustic waveguide molded therein, identical in shape to the first acoustic waveguide and having only one input port, for guiding sound pressure variations, effectively emanating from a point source at the input port of the second acoustic waveguide, and for exclusively communicating same to the other side of the diaphragm.