초록 ▼

An overhead microphone assembly using multiple unidirectional microphone elements. The microphone assembly is installed overhead, generally above all the desired sound sources and below the undesired sound sources. The signals from these multiple microphone elements are fed into a microphone steerin

An overhead microphone assembly using multiple unidirectional microphone elements. The microphone assembly is installed overhead, generally above all the desired sound sources and below the undesired sound sources. The signals from these multiple microphone elements are fed into a microphone steering processor which can mix and gate the signals to ensure the best signal/noise ratio. The steering processor may also track the sound source dynamically when such tracking (source locating) is desired. The resulting audio signal from the steering processor may be further processed, such as echo canceling, noise reduction and automatic gain control.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A microphone assembly in a room, wherein the room has a ceiling and a floor to accommodate people, and wherein the room has overhead space between any people and the ceiling, the microphone assembly comprising: a support member; a plurality of unidirectional microphone

The invention claimed is: 1. A microphone assembly in a room, wherein the room has a ceiling and a floor to accommodate people, and wherein the room has overhead space between any people and the ceiling, the microphone assembly comprising: a support member; a plurality of unidirectional microphone elements attached to the support member, wherein all microphone elements are maintained in the overhead space by the support member, and a signal processor module coupled to the microphone elements, wherein the processor module is programmed to provide an output based only on the microphone element providing the best audio quality for a first human speaker. 2. The microphone assembly of claim 1, wherein: the signal processor module is attached to the support member. 3. The microphone assembly of claim 1, wherein the unidirectional microphone elements are cardioid microphone elements. 4. The microphone assembly of claim 1, wherein the unidirectional microphone elements are microphone arrays, each of which accepts sound waves in a primary direction. 5. The microphone assembly of claim 1, wherein the support member is attached to the ceiling of the room. 6. The microphone assembly of claim 1, further comprising a shield attached to the support member immediately above all microphone elements. 7. The microphone assembly of claim 1, further comprising a shield attached to each microphone elements, wherein the shield is immediately above the microphone element. 8. The microphone assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing attached to the support member, wherein the housing contains the microphone elements and the processor module, wherein the housing has a top and a bottom, wherein the top is not sound permeable and the bottom is sound permeable. 9. The microphone assembly of claim 8, wherein the housing further has a shield immediately above the housing. 10. The microphone assembly of claim 1, wherein the signal processor is further operable to balance frequency response, adjust control microphone gain and reduce noises. 11. The microphone assembly of claim 1, wherein microphone assembly is coupled to an audio system, the microphone assembly further comprising, a transceiver coupled to the signal processor, wherein the transceiver is operable to communicate with the audio system; and a battery coupled to the signal processor. 12. An audio system, wherein a portion of the audio system is in a room, wherein the room has a ceiling and a floor to accommodate people, and wherein the room has overhead space between the people and the ceiling, the audio system comprising: an overhead microphone assembly in the room, wherein the overhead microphone assembly includes, a support member; and a plurality of unidirectional microphone elements attached to the support member, wherein all microphone elements are maintained in the overhead space by the support member; an amplifier; a loudspeaker coupled to the amplifier; and a signal processor coupled to all microphone elements and the amplifier, wherein the processor module is operable to provide an output based only on the microphone element providing the best audio quality for a first human speaker to the amplifier. 13. The audio system of claim 12, wherein the unidirectional microphone elements are cardioid microphone elements. 14. The audio system of claim 12, wherein the unidirectional microphone elements are directional microphone arrays, each of which accepts sound waves from a primary direction. 15. The audio system of claim 12, wherein the support member is attached to the ceiling of the room. 16. The audio system of claim 12, further comprising a shield attached to the support member immediately above all microphone elements. 17. The audio system of claim 12, further comprising a shield attached to each microphone elements, wherein the shield is immediately above the microphone element. 18. The audio system of claim 12, further comprising a housing attached to the support member, wherein the housing contains the microphone elements and the processor module, wherein the housing has a top and a bottom, wherein the top is not sound permeable and the bottom is sound permeable. 19. The audio system of claim 18, wherein the housing further has a shield immediately above the housing. 20. The audio system of claim 12, wherein the signal processor module is operable to further process the audio signal including noise reduction, echo cancellation, frequency balancing and automatic gain control. 21. The audio system of claim 12, further comprising, a transceiver coupled to the signal processor; wherein the overhead microphone assembly further includes, a microphone transceiver coupled to the microphone elements; a microphone signal processor couple to the microphone transceiver and the microphone elements; and a battery coupled to the microphone signal processor; wherein the transceiver is in communication with the microphone transceiver; and wherein the signal processor is coupled to the microphone elements through the transceiver and the microphone transceiver.