FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to microphones. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to tabletop microphones.

BACKGROUND

This background section is provided for the purpose of generally describing the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

In the field of audio and videoconferencing, microphones are widely used to pickup audio of conference participants. So-called extension microphones are used to extend the audio pickup capabilities of a primary conferencing device.

For example, a table-based assembly may include one or more installed microphones for picking up room audio and in particular speaking participants of an audio or video conference. Alternatively, assemblies in the form of a video bar may include one or more installed microphones for picking up room audio and the speaking participants.

An issue that some of these devices exhibit is that the sensitivity of audio pickup of the microphones may be non-uniform, such that participants at a given distance and a first angle from the used microphones may be heard better than, for example other participants at the same distance but at other angles from the used microphones. This issue may be caused by a non-uniformity of the microphone's polar pattern and/or the overall assembly with respect to amplitude. Another issue that may be present is significant frequency variation over the microphone's polar pattern.

SUMMARY

Based on the shortcomings of the prior art, an object exists to provide a tabletop microphone assembly that exhibits improved spatial audio pick-up characteristics. The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim(s). Embodiments of the invention are discussed in the dependent claims and the following description.

In a first exemplary aspect, a tabletop microphone assembly is provided that comprises at least: a housing with a top cover and a bottom cover, wherein the bottom cover is configured for placement on a table surface; a printed circuit board, arranged in the housing; and a microphone, arranged between the printed circuit board and the bottom cover; wherein the microphone is facing the bottom cover.

In another exemplary aspect, a conference system is provided that comprises at least one or more tabletop microphone assemblies.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description, drawings, and from the claims.

