Speakerphone with downfiring speaker and directional microphones
US7925004B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R27/00
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A speakerphone having improved echo cancellation and sound output includes at least one directional microphone having at least one axis of sensitivity and at least one zone of insensitivity, and a speaker disposed in the zone of insensitivity of the microphone to radiate sound away from the microphone and towards a reflective surface, such as a desktop or wall, against which the speakerphone is disposed. A baseplate disposed adjacent to the speaker outlet can combine with the housing of the phone to form a flaring, right-angled horn having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the speaker and an outlet terminating at a periphery of the housing. A wall-mounting embodiment incorporates a unidirectional microphone with an axis of sensitivity oriented perpendicular to the wall, and a desktop-mounting embodiment includes an array of at least two bi-directional microphones having respective axes of sensitivity oriented parallel to the desktop.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.