EP-4736470-A1 - MICROPHONE HEAD CONNECTOR ADAPTER

EP4736470A1EP 4736470 A1EP4736470 A1EP 4736470A1EP-4736470-A1

Abstract

A handheld wireless microphone body may be connected to an assortment of microphone heads, providing compatibility between models from differing manufactures including accommodating differing attachment threads and electrical/audio output contact configurations without the need for hardware or software substitution.

Inventors

ANDERSON, MATTHEW, G.
MCDONALD, JASON

Assignees

Sound Devices LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240627

Claims (16)

1. A handheld wireless microphone apparatus: a main body; an RF antenna located in a bottom portion of the main body; an array of plug connectors attached to a top end of the main body, said array of plug connectors being arranged to receive electrical audio signals from at least a first type of microphone head and from a second type of microphone head, said first type of microphone head having audio output conductors in a first physical configuration, and said second type of microphone head having audio output conductors in a second physical configuration; processing means located within the main body to receive said electrical audio signals from the array of plug connectors and provide audio transmission signals to the RF antenna for wireless RF transmission; a removable microphone head connection adapter comprising a collar that includes means for mechanically attaching the collar to the said first type of microphone head, means for mechanically attaching the collar’ to the said second type of microphone head, and means for mechanically attaching the collar to the top end of the main body such that plug connectors on the top end of the main sleeve connect electrically with the output connectors of the first type of microphone when the collar is attached to the first type of microphone head and the plug connectors on the top end of the main sleeve connect electrically with the output connectors of the second type of microphone head when the collar is attached to the second type of microphone head.
2. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means on the collar for mechanically attaching the collar’ to the said first type of microphone head comprises threads configured to fit threads on the first type of microphone head, and means on the collar for mechanically attaching the collar to the said second type of microphone head comprises threads configured to fit threads on the second type of microphone head.
3. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means on the collar for mechanically attaching the collar to the said first type of microphone head comprises a clip-on, a snap-on, or a magnetic connection mechanism, and means on the collar for mechanically attaching the collar to the said second type of microphone head comprises a clip- on, a snap-on, or a magnetic connection mechanism.
4. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for mechanically attaching the collar to the top end of the main body includes keys extending inward from the inside surface of the collar and spread circumferentially on the inside surface of the collar, and the top end of the main body further comprises an entry notch and a peripheral key slot for each key on the collar.
5. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a compression ring located between the collar and the main body when the collar is attached to the main body.
6. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plug connectors have resilient or spring mounted pins.
7. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the audio output conductors on said first and second type of microphone heads comprise a series of annular contacts.
8. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the processor determines whether the first type of microphone head or the second type of microphone head is attached by determining whether one or more plugs are shorted together.
9. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 7 wherein at least some of the plug connectors in the array are located at different radial distances from a center axis of the annular contacts on the first or second type of microphone heads when the respective head is attached to the collar and the top end of the main body.
10. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor determines whether the first type of microphone head or the second type of microphone head is attached by taking measurements from defined pin locations of the plug connectors.
11. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 10 wherein analog switches are positioned according to the determination of whether the first type of microphone head or the second type of microphone head is attached.
12. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the array of plug connectors attached to the top end of the main body are arranged to receive electrical audio signals from a third type of microphone head, said third type of microphone head having audio output conductors in either the first physical configuration or the second configuration; and the collar' is able to connect the third type of microphone head to the microphone body using either said means for mechanically attaching the collar to the said first type of microphone head or said means for mechanically attaching the collar to the said second type of microphone head.
13. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the processor determines whether the first type of microphone head, the second type of microphone head or the third type of microphone head is attached by taking measurements from defined pin locations of the plug connectors.
14. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 13 wherein analog switches are positioned according to the determination of whether the first type of microphone head, the second type of microphone head or the third type of microphone head is attached.
15. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processing means comprises a field programmable gate array and the handheld microphone apparatus further comprising: a. a preamplifier which receives the analog audio signal and outputs amplified analog audio signal; b. an analog to digital converter which digitizes the amplified analog signal that is transmitted to the field programmable gate array; c. an RF upconverting circuit which receives an audio output signal from the field programmable gate array and output an RF audio signal to a power amplifier, which in turn is connected to the antenna.
16. The handheld microphone apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a battery and power conversion circuitry.

Description

MICROPHONE HEAD CONNECTION ADAPTER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/510,522, filed June 27, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The disclosed invention provides means to improve the flexibility and usability of a handheld wireless microphone body with different microphone heads. This invention allows users to switch microphone heads on the body of the wireless microphone without requiring any modifications to hardware, software or electronics. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Due to the high degree of convenience and freedom of movement, the use of handheld wireless microphones has seen a dramatic increase in use over the last several years with many new products being successfully marketed. Aside from the convenience of eliminating any concerns regarding a corded connection, not all wireless microphones are created equal. While many manufacturers strive for recognition as offering the most pristine sound quality, various makes of microphone heads nonetheless provide subtle perceptible differences in directional gain pattern and/or frequency sensitivity. Aside from those attributable to the microphone head, additional differences may exist between different makes with regard to the electronics contained in the microphone body and the wireless transmitter. For example, these differences may include varying weight, bandwidth, wireless range, battery life and ornamental qualities. Some highly desirable (high performance) models of microphone heads are manufactured by Shure and Sennheiser Corp. However, these brands typically require differing thread patterns for mounting the microphone head to the microphone body along with differences in the electrical connector arrangement between the microphone head and body. Ambient Recording GmbH, Munich, DE, produces a variety of connector adapters designed to connect various microphone bodies with a head configured like a Shure head and other connector adapters designed to connect various microphone bodies with a head configured like a Sennheiser head, with other connector adapters being made for heads made by different manufactures with different threads and/or electrical connector arrangement. Unfortunately, the microphone head adapters known in the prior art are generally designed to be compatible with only one specific model or configuration of microphone head. For example, if a performer wants to switch between types of microphone head, if an adapter is needed, they most likely need to also install a different head adapter on the microphone body to provide compatible threads and electrical connector patterns for the new microphone head. [0004] There have been instances where famous performers have invested significant sums of money to externally decorate microphone sleeves to their liking for performances, e.g. the addition of custom handles, artwork, precious gems or other decorative or functional features. Accordingly, especially in these cases, the performer may wish to use the same microphone body/sleeve assembly but switch between multiple microphone heads without any concerns involving the need for disassembly and assembly or for variations due to the electronics in the microphone body. [0005] The present invention provides the user (or performer) greater flexibility in selecting from a variety of microphone heads without needing to be concerned about mechanical and electrical compatibility with the head adapter or body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The invention is a handheld wireless microphone apparatus with a removable microphone head connection adapter that enables the mechanical and electrical attachment of a first type of microphone head and, if reversed, the mechanical and electrical attachment of a second type of microphone head. In preferred embodiments, the microphone body can electrically accommodate a third type of microphone head, or additional types, as well. [0007] The wireless handheld microphone apparatus has a main body that is suitable to be gripped by the performer and an RF antenna located at the bottom of the main body. In accordance with the invention, an array of plug connectors, e.g. spring-loaded pin connectors, are attached to the top end of the main sleeve. The plug connectors are arranged to receive electrical audio signals from at least the first type of microphone head and alternatively from the second type of microphone head. The first type of microphone head has audio output conductors, e.g. annular conductor rings, in a first physical configuration, while the audio output conductors in the second type of microphone head are in a different physical configuration. Processing means located within the main body, e.g. a field programable gate array, receives the electrical audio signals from the plug connectors and provides audio transmission signals