Collapsible image derived differential microphone

• Main Authors: WEST, JAMES EDWARD, KUBLI, ROBERT ALFRED
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 03.09.2008
• Subjects: ACOUSTICS; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; DEAF-AID SETS; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; ELECTRICITY; LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKEACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING,NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; PHYSICS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS; SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION

An acoustic signal receiving apparatus comprises a housing (21,22) having an acoustically reflecting surface (22) and a directional acoustic sensor unit (23) having first-order gradient characteristics. The sensor unit (23) is coupled to the housing with use of a retractable member having a retracted position and an extended position. When the member is extended, the sensor unit is positioned relative to the reflecting surface such that the acoustic interaction between the sensor unit and the reflecting surface causes the output of the sensor unit to have second-order gradient response characteristics. In accordance with one illustrative embodiment, in a notebook computer with a "flip-back" lid (22), the sensor element (23) automatically extends to the desired position when the lid is opened, and automatically retracts to be flush with the housing surface when the lid is closed.