Wireless intercom system

• US 20030134666A1
• Filed: 01/15/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hall, Ronald W., Fletcher, Douglas D., Medek, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,103,392 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72513 On hold, intercom or transfer communication modes

Abstract

A wireless intercom unit includes an electronics housing including a first side, where the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface. The intercom unit also includes a microphone, a speaker, and an input device, where these components are located on a portion of the housing other than the first side. The intercom further includes a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range. In another embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and an earpiece for wireless communication with the wireless intercom unit. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and a remote switch for providing user input information to the intercom unit.

Claims

1. A wireless intercom system comprising a wireless intercom unit comprising:

(a) an electronics housing including a first side, wherein the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface;

(b) a microphone configured to receive an audio signal input, said microphone located on a portion of the housing other than the first side;

(c) a speaker configured to broadcast an audio signal output, said speaker located on a portion of the housing other than the first side;

(d) a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range operably connected to the microphone and the speaker; and

(e) an input device located on a portion of the housing other than the first side.

2. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing includes a second side wherein the second side is configured to face a user when the wireless intercom unit is resting on the first side, wherein the microphone and input device are located on the second side.

3. The wireless intercom system of claim 2 wherein the speaker is located on the second side.

4. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein said first side is substantially flat.

5. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein said first side comprises a supporting structure to support the wireless intercom unit when it is set on a planar surface.

6. The wireless intercom system of claim 5 wherein the supporting structure comprises four posts on the first side.

7. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the wireless intercom unit further comprises a bracket attached to said first side configured to be mounted on a substantially vertical planar surface.

8. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the input device is selected from a group of a power control input device, a volume control input device, a channel control input device and a page mode input device.

9. The wireless intercom system of claim 1, wherein the microphone comprises an elongated neck to support the microphone above the electronics housing.

10. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 further comprising:

(a) an earpiece configured to be worn on a ear of a user, the earpiece comprising an earpiece speaker, an earpiece microphone, and an earpiece transceiver for an earpiece radio frequency range; and

(b) wherein the wireless intercom unit further comprises an earpiece transceiver for the earpiece radio frequency range.

11. The wireless intercom system of claim 10 wherein the earpiece further comprises a curved structure configured to fit around the back side of the outer ear of a user, wherein the earpiece speaker is connected to the curved structure and is configured to rest proximate the outer ear of the user, wherein the earpiece microphone is connected to the earpiece speaker and is configured to be in close proximity to the mouth of the user.

12. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 further comprising a switch comprising:

(a) a switch housing;

(b) at least one pressure sensor located inside or on the surface of the switch housing; and

(c) a radio frequency transmitter for a remote switch radio frequency range; and

wherein the wireless intercom system further comprises an auxiliary receiver for the remote switch radio frequency range.

13. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the wireless intercom unit further comprises a second channel transceiver for a second channel radio frequency range, wherein the input device is a channel control input device configured to select the first or second channel transceiver.

14. A wireless communication system comprising:

(a) a wireless intercom unit comprising;

(i) an electronics housing;

(ii) a microphone for receiving an audio signal input;

(iii) a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range; and

(iv) an earpiece transceiver for an earpiece radio frequency range; and

(v) a speaker for broadcasting the audio signal output; and

(b) an earpiece comprising;

(i) an earpiece speaker;

(ii) an earpiece microphone;

(iii) an earpiece transceiver for the earpiece radio frequency range; and

(iv) a wearable structure to secure the earpiece near a user'"'"'s ear.

15. The wireless communication system of claim 14, wherein the wearable structure comprises a curved structure configured to fit around the back side of the outer ear of a user, wherein the earpiece speaker is connected to the curved structure and is configured to rest proximate the outer ear of the user, and wherein the earpiece microphone is connected to the earpiece speaker and is configured to be in close proximity to the mouth of the user.

16. The wireless communication system of claim 14, wherein the earpiece transceiver of the intercom unit and the earpiece transceiver of the earpiece are configured to operate at a lower power than is the first channel transceiver.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 14, wherein the wireless intercom unit further comprises a switch for disabling the speaker and microphone.

18. A wireless communication system comprising:

(a) a wireless intercom unit comprising;

(i) a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range; and

(ii) a receiver for a remote switch radio frequency range;

(iii) a microphone for receiving an audio input;

(iv) a speaker for broadcasting an audio output; and

(b) a switch comprising;

(i) a housing;

(ii) a pressure sensor located inside or on the surface of the housing; and

(iii) a radio frequency transmitter for the remote switch radio frequency range.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 18 wherein the switch is sized to be operated by a user'"'"'s foot.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 18 wherein the switch housing comprises a rubber tread surface.

21. The wireless communication system of claim 18 wherein the transmitter of the switch is configured to operate at a lower power than is the first channel transceiver.