This seems like it could be challenged by companies like Cisco, Polycom and Microsoft, but ClearOne’s latest patent (9,232,185) covers Audio Conferencing System for All-in-One Displays.

On January 5, 2016, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) issued United States Patent number 9,232,185 entitled “Audio Conferencing System for All-in-One Displays.” The ‘185 patent describes a conferencing system consisting of an “all-in-one” display that consists of a display, processor, camera, and speaker connected to a separate microphone system.

All-in-displays can turn any commercial or home space into a conference area, but they are likely to be placed some distance from the participants. This invention is significant because it allows the microphone assembly to be placed close to the local conference participants, which can greatly improve the quality of audio that is sent to the far end as compared to using a microphone in the display.

The recently issued patent that ClearOne has been awarded is part of a patent portfolio that includes over 69 patents and an additional 31 pending patent applications covering multiple new technologies in the fields of audio and video processing, audio and video streaming, and communication technologies. This ongoing development of new patents continues ClearOne’s leadership position, strong history of product innovation, and development of cutting edge technologies.

ClearOne is here. Here’s the actual patent.