Point Source Audio Announces Patents Issuance for EMBRACE™ Earmount Microphone
Two Patents Cover the Microphone’s Design and Functionality
Petaluma, Calif. — October 24, 2017 — Point Source Audio® (PSA), an audio equipment manufacturer specializing in the development of miniature microphones and headsets, announced today that the U.S. Patent Office has issued two patents for PSA’s EMBRACE Earmount Microphone: Patent No. D786,220, which protects the design of PSA’s EMBRACE earmount, and 9,706,285, which covers the device, apparatus, system or method of use. The innovative design of EMBRACE allows microphones to be easily concealed and quickly custom-fitted for the wearer — providing a placement of the microphone that is consistent and stable.
EMBRACE microphones are designed for theatre, broadcast, film, corporate and other applications where the microphone is ideally camouflaged, yet still maintains consistent placement from the mouth even with head movement.
The two new patents for EMBRACE mark the third patent the company has received in the last two years. Point Source Audio also holds a patent for its CM-i3/CM-i5 intercom headsets that was granted in 2016.
“These patents validate our commitment to innovations that elevate both user and audience experience, and which solve ongoing problems for our customers,” said James Lamb, President of Point Source Audio. “And there’s more to come with a patent pending for our CO2-8WL dual microphone. It’s the world’s first self-contained redundant dual element mic that makes switching to a backup microphone seamless and discreet.”
The company reports that the EMBRACE Earmount solution is used in many performances including by Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, the San Francisco Opera, Alley Theatre, and numerous other performing art venues throughout the country.
In the past, concealing headworn microphones usually required hand assembly using sharp tools, tape, wire, plastic, and other materials. “The process of creating an ear rig is very time-consuming and requires a dedicated skill set that is not always available on production teams,” said PSA’s vice president of marketing, Yvonne Ho. “We designed EMBRACE as a commercial mic’ing solution to be accessible by all in the audio and arts community.”
Each EMBRACE Microphone utilizes the company’s award-winning SERIES8 microphone technology and comes complete with a left and right earmount in a choice of beige, brown, or black color for matching hair and skin tone. For extreme camouflaging, EMBRACE Microphones can be customized with theatrical color markers, makeup, or airbrushing. EMBRACE is also now available in single or dual elements offering built-in backup.
EMBRACE microphones and the full range of Point Source Audio products will be on display at booth #3071 for attendees of LDI 2017 in Las Vegas, November 17-19. More information about Point Source Audio’s various audio solutions can be found by visiting www.point-sourceaudio.com.
About Point Source Audio
Point Source Audio (@PSA_audio) manufactures and distributes worldwide their SERIES8 and EMBRACE miniature microphones—a unique line of headset, earworn and earmount microphones known for their robust bendable boom and waterproof features. The company also holds the patent for the world’s first modular in-ear comms headset that is improving the health and hearing for audio, lighting and camera techs using headsets everywhere from sports to space. As a result of PSA’s pro-audio expertise and its admired reputation for sales and service support, the company has also been named the North American distributor by audio networking companies Digigram and AuviTran. Founded in 2004, Point Source Audio is headquartered in Petaluma, Calif. For more information call (415) 226-1122 or visit point-sourceaudio.com. Follow the company on Twitter at twitter.com/PSA_audio
These patents validate our commitment to innovations that elevate both user and audience experience and which solve ongoing problems for our customers.