Telecommunications audio endpoints

US10051353B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Cisco Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David William Nolan Robison · Campbell, US
• Kevin Lee Hughes · Richardson, US
• Feng Bao · Sunnyvale, US
• Stephen L. Ijams · Camarillo, US
• Victor Manuel Sanchez · San Jose, US
• David M. Sanguinet · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 9, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 14, 2018
• Expiry date: Mar 9, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04R19/016
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Presented herein is an audio endpoint for telecommunication operations, sometimes referred to herein as a “telecommunications audio endpoint” or, more, simply as an “audio endpoint.” According to at least one example, the audio endpoint presented herein includes a base, a speaker, a speaker waveguide, a microphone waveguide, and two or more microphones. The base is configured to engage a support surface (i.e., a table) and the speaker is configured to emit sounds (i.e., fire) in a direction of the base. The speaker waveguide is disposed between the speaker and the microphone waveguide, while the microphone waveguide is disposed between the speaker waveguide and the base. The two or more microphones are disposed within the microphone waveguide and are proximate to the base. In general, the speaker waveguide is configured to guide sounds output by the speaker in general radially (outward) directions.