IP Library Granted Patent US 9,998,813
Granted Patent B2
US 9,998,813 · App. 15/679,652 · Granted Jun 12, 2018

Microphone

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,998,813
App. No.
15/679,652
Granted
Jun 12, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a microphone which is capable of detecting a face or the like of the person and maintaining an on-state even when the face or the like of the person which has approached the microphone does not move. A power supply of the microphone turns on according to a reception of a reflected light of an emission from the first and/or second light-emitting element, which is arranged at a position around an outer periphery of the sound pickup portion of the microphone by the first and/or second light-receiving element, which is arranged at an another position around the outer periphery of the sound pickup portion of the microphone.

Claims (12)

1. A microphone, comprising:

a grip portion having a rod-like shape;

a sound pickup portion having one of a substantially spherical shape and a substantially columnar shape having an axis matching with a longitudinal direction of the grip portion, and connected to one end of the grip portion;

a first light-emitting element at a first position around an outer periphery of the sound pickup portion;

a second light-emitting element at a second position opposed to the first position around the outer periphery of the sound pickup portion;

a first light-receiving element at a third position being one of two intermediate points between the first position and the second position around the outer periphery of the sound pickup portion; and

a second light-receiving element at a fourth position being another of the two intermediate positions,

a light-emitting surface of each of the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element and a light-receiving surface of each of the first light-receiving element and the second light-receiving element oriented in a direction opposite to an extending direction of the grip portion from the sound pickup portion,

the first and second light-receiving elements configured to receive reflected light from light emitted by the first and second light-emitting elements, and

a power supply of the microphone turning on according to reception of reflected light from light emission by the first light-emitting element and/or the second light-emitting element and received by the first light-receiving element and/or the second light-receiving element.

2. A microphone according to claim 1 , wherein the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element are configured to emit light in an intermittent manner, and wherein the power supply is turned on when a number of times the reflected light is received at the first light-receiving element and/or the second light-receiving element reaches a predetermined number of times.

3. A microphone according to claim 1 , further comprising a protection ring around the outer periphery of the sound pickup portion, and configured to protect the sound pickup portion when the microphone is laid down, and the first light-emitting element, the second light-emitting element, the first light-receiving element, and the second light-receiving element residing on the protection ring.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jun 8, 2023
From: ABLIC INC.
To: ABLIC INC.
Reel/Frame 064021/0575 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 12, 2018
From: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: ABLIC INC.
Reel/Frame 045567/0927 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2017
From: UTSUNOMIYA, FUMIYASU
To: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043323/0065 →