IP Library Granted Patent US 8,135,144
Granted Patent B2
US 8,135,144 · App. 12/275,986 · Granted Mar 13, 2012

Microphone system, sound input apparatus and method for manufacturing the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,135,144
App. No.
12/275,986
Granted
Mar 13, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A microphone system, includes: a housing, adapted to be placed in a reference position relative to a sound source; a first microphone, configured to receive sound from the sound source at a first position within the housing; a second microphone, configured to receive sound from the sound source at a second position within the housing; and a differential signal generator, wherein: the first and second positions are arranged on a first line; and the first line perpendicularly intersects a second line that is extended from the sound source at a third position which is not between the first and second positions, and obliquely intersects a third line that is extended from the sound source at a fourth position which is between the first and second positions, when the housing is placed at the reference position.

Claims (16)

1. A microphone system, comprising:

a housing, adapted to be placed in a reference position relative to a sound source;

a first microphone, configured to receive sound from the sound source at a first position within the housing, and generate a first voltage signal in accordance with the sound received at the first position;

a second microphone, configured to receive sound from the sound source at a second position within the housing, and generate a second voltage signal in accordance with the sound received at the second position; and

a differential signal generator, configured to receive the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal, and generate a differential signal indicative of a difference between the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal, wherein:

the first and second positions are arranged on a first line; and

the first line perpendicularly intersects a second line that is extended from the sound source at a third position which is not between the first and second positions, and obliquely intersects a third line that is extended from the sound source at a fourth position which is between the first and second positions, when the housing is placed at the reference position.

2. The microphone system according to claim 1 , wherein

the first position and the second position are arranged such that the second line and the third line defines an angle which falls within either a range from 30 degrees to 150 degrees or a range from 210 degrees to 330 degrees.

3. The microphone system according to claim 1 , wherein

the first and second microphones are semiconductor devices.

4. A sound input apparatus, comprising:

the microphone system according to claim 1 ; and

a speaker disposed in the housing and arranged on the first line, the speaker being configured to generate sound.

5. The sound input apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein:

a distance between the speaker and the fourth position falls within either a range from zero to 75 mm or a range no less than 175 mm.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2017
From: ONPA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 041232/0508 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2016
From: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ONPA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 039857/0169 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2015
From: FUNAI ELECTRIC ADVANCED APPLIED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC.
To: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 035295/0038 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 3, 2008
From: INODA, TAKESHI; HORIBE, RYUSUKI; MAEDA, SHIGEO; TANAKA, FUMINORI; FUKUOKA, TOSHIMI
To: FUNAI ELECTRIC ADVANCED APPLIED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC.; FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021921/0700 →