US2018160224A1PendingUtilityA1

Beamforming Microphone Array with Support for Interior Design Elements

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Assignee: CLEARONE INCPriority: Mar 1, 2013Filed: Jan 8, 2018Published: Jun 7, 2018
Est. expiryMar 1, 2033(~6.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Derek GrahamDavid K. LambertMichael Braithwaite
G10L 2021/02082H04R 29/005G10L 21/0232H04R 2420/07H04R 2430/21H04R 2430/23H04R 3/005H04R 1/406H04R 31/006H04R 1/08H04R 2201/021H04R 17/02H04R 1/2876H04R 3/04
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Claims

Abstract

This disclosure describes a beamforming microphone array integrated into a wall tile that picks up audio input signals. The beamforming microphone array can pick up audio input signals. The wall tile with an outer surface where the outer surface is acoustically transparent, the beamforming microphone array is in contact with the tile, and the beamforming microphone array can pick up the audio input signals through the outer surface of the tile.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
We claim the following invention: 
     
         1 . A beamforming microphone array integrated into a wall tile that picks up audio input signals, comprising:
 a beamforming microphone array capable of picking up audio input signals; and   a wall tile with an outer surface where the outer surface is acoustically transparent, the beamforming microphone array is in contact with the tile, and the beamforming microphone array can pick up the audio input signals through the outer surface of the tile.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  where the tile comprises acoustic or vibration damping material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  where the beamforming microphone array further comprises a plurality of microphones. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  where the plurality of microphones are positioned at predetermined locations on or in the tile. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  where the tile is configured to receive each of the plurality of microphones within one or more contours, corrugations, or depressions of the tile. 
     
     
         6 . The claim according to  claim 1  where the outer surface comprises a grille. 
     
     
         7 . The claim according to  claim 1  where the outer surface is coplanar with the tile. 
     
     
         8 . The claim according to  claim 1  where the outer surface extends below the plane of the tile. 
     
     
         9 . A method of using a beamforming microphone array integrated into a wall tile that picks up audio input signals, comprising:
 picking up audio input signals with a beamforming microphone array;   providing a wall tile with an outer surface where the outer surface is acoustically transparent, the beamforming microphone array is in contact with the tile, and the beamforming microphone array picks up the audio input signals through the outer surface of the tile.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  where the tile comprises acoustic or vibration damping material. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9  where the beamforming microphone array further comprises a plurality of microphones. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  where the plurality of microphones are positioned at predetermined locations on or in the tile. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  where the tile is configured to receive each of the plurality of microphones within one or more contours, corrugations, or depressions of the tile. 
     
     
         14 . The claim according to  claim 9  where the outer surface comprises a grille. 
     
     
         15 . The claim according to  claim 9  where the outer surface is coplanar with the tile. 
     
     
         16 . The claim according to  claim 9  where the outer surface extends below the plane of the tile. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a beamforming microphone array integrated into a wall tile that picks up audio input signals, comprising:
 providing a beamforming microphone array capable of picking up audio input signals; and   coupling the beamforming microphone array with a wall tile, the tile comprises an outer surface where the outer surface is acoustically transparent, and the beamforming microphone array can pick up the audio input signals through the outer surface of the tile.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  where the tile comprises acoustic or vibration damping material. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17  where the beamforming microphone array further comprises a plurality of microphones. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  where the plurality of microphones are positioned at predetermined locations on or in the tile. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19  where the tile is configured to receive each of the plurality of microphones within one or more contours, corrugations, or depressions of the tile. 
     
     
         22 . The claim according to  claim 17  where the outer surface comprises a grille. 
     
     
         23 . The claim according to  claim 17  where the outer surface is coplanar with the tile. 
     
     
         24 . The claim according to  claim 17  where the outer surface extends below the plane of the tile.

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