Wireless communication systems for masks or helmets

• US 20050096096A1
• Filed: 11/04/2003
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc. (Edge Autonomy SLO LLC)
• Original Assignee: Ultra Electronics Audiopack, Inc. (Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC)
• Inventors: Claypoole, Gary, Skillicorn, Greg, Birli, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,221,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets

Abstract

Various types of wireless communication systems for masks or helmets can be mounted externally or internally on a mask. Different types of microphones can be employed, for example, a bone-conducting microphone or a directional microphone. Ear speakers mounted at various locations on the mask or helmet can be employed. Wireless communication is with a transceiver mounted in or on a lapel unit, a walkie-talkie, or at a remote location.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system for use externally on a mask, comprising:

a housing for connection with the mask to support said system on the mask;

a transceiver in said housing for sending and receiving radio signals;

a microphone in said housing for picking up the voice of a wearer of the mask, the output of said microphone being connected electrically with said transceiver;

an ear speaker in said housing and connected electrically with said transceiver for generating audible sound from signals received by said transceiver; and

a channel in said housing that directs sound from said ear speaker along the side of the mask toward (closer to) the ear of the wearer of the mask.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transceiver and said microphone and said ear speaker are located in a main body portion of said housing adjacent the mouth of the wearer of the mask, and said channel is formed in a tubular extension of said housing

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said tubular extension of said housing extends rearward and upward from said main body portion of said housing.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said tubular extension of said housing has a three-dimensionally curved configuration as it extends rearward and upward from said main body portion of said housing.

5. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said extension portion of said housing has a width in the range of from about one half inch to about two inches.

6. A wireless communication system for use externally on a mask, comprising:

a housing for connection with the mask to support said system on the mask;

a transceiver in said housing for sending and receiving radio signals;

a microphone in said housing for picking up the voice of a wearer of the mask, the output of said microphone being connected electrically with said transceiver;

said transceiver and said microphone being located in a main body portion of said housing adjacent the mouth of the wearer of the mask;

an ear speaker in said housing and connected electrically with said transceiver for generating audible sound from signals received by said transceiver;

said housing having a tubular extension in which said ear speaker is mounted, said tubular extension extending from said main body portion along the side of the mask toward the ear of the wearer of the mask.

7. A wireless communication system for use externally on a mask, comprising:

a housing for connection with the mask to support said system on the mask;

a transceiver in said housing for sending and receiving radio signals;

a microphone in said housing for picking up the voice of a wearer of the mask, the output of said microphone being connected electrically with said transceiver;

an ear speaker in said housing and connected electrically with said transceiver for generating audible sound from signals received by said transceiver; and

a voice amplifier in said housing.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said voice amplifier comprises an amplifier that receives the output of said microphone and a second speaker for projecting the sound of the wearer'"'"'s voice externally of said housing and the mask.

9. A system as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a power supply in said housing.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said power supply includes a replaceable or rechargeable battery.

11. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said housing includes a channel that directs sound from said ear speaker along the side of the mask toward (closer to) the ear of the wearer of the mask.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said transceiver and said microphone and said ear speaker are located in a main body portion of said housing adjacent the mouth of the wearer of the mask, and said channel is formed in a tubular extension of said housing that extends rearward and upward from said main body portion of said housing, said tubular extension having a three-dimensionally curved configuration.

13. A wireless communication system for a wearer of a mask or helmet, comprising:

a wireless microphone for mounting on the mask or helmet, said wireless microphone including a transmitter that transmits a signal;

a transceiver electrically connected with a walkie-talkie carried by the wearer remote from the mask or helmet, for example, mounted on the waist of the wearer, said transceiver being adapted to receive signals from said wireless microphone for communication via the walkie-talkie with remote locations; and

a wireless ear speaker on the mask or helmet, said ear speaker including a receiver that receives a signal from said transceiver, said transceiver being adapted to transmit signals to the wireless ear speaker for communication via the walkie-talkie from remote locations.

14. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said transceiver is directly connected by wires with the walkie-talkie.

15. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said transceiver is embedded in a lapel unit that is connected by wires to the walkie-talkie.

16. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said transceiver is embedded in the walkie-talkie.

17. A wireless communication system for use with a helmet having a strap that overlies the wearer'"'"'s head when the helmet is being worn, said system comprising:

a bone-conducting microphone mounted on the strap;

a first transceiver mounted on the strap adjacent said bone-conducting microphone, said bone-conducting microphone having an output connected to said transceiver;

an ear speaker mounted on the strap adjacent said microphone and said first transceiver, said ear speaker having an audio output directed toward the ear of the wearer of the helmet.

18. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 17 further including a second transceiver for location elsewhere on the wearer'"'"'s body, said second transceiver communicating with said first transceiver and with a remote location to establish wireless communication between the wearer and the remote location.

19. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said microphone and said first transceiver and said ear speaker form a single, integrated assembly that can be attached to the strap.

20. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said ear speaker is mounted on a boom extending from said first transceiver thereby to position said ear speaker closer to the ear of the wearer.

21. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 17 further including a second system on a second helmet of a second wearer, said first and second systems communicating directly with each other rather than through a central location.

22. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said first and second systems also communicate with a central location.

23. A wireless communication system for mounting as one small integrated assembly in a helmet or mask, comprising:

a transceiver for sending and receiving radio signals;

a power source for said system, connected with said transceiver;

a directional microphone for picking up the voice of a wearer of the helmet, said microphone having a sound inlet opening oriented toward the mouth of the wearer of the helmet, the output of said microphone being connected electrically with said transceiver; and

an ear speaker connected electrically with said transceiver for generating audible sound from signals received by said transceiver.

24. A system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said wireless communication system is mounted as one piece in said helmet.

25. A system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said housing is embedded in said helmet near an ear portion of the helmet.

26. A system as set forth in claim 23 that is coin-sized.

27. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a communication system housing adapted to be received in the ear of a wearer;

a power source in said housing for said system;

a transceiver in said housing for sending and receiving radio signals;

an ear speaker in said housing and connected electrically with said transceiver for generating audible sound from signals received by said transceiver; and

an in the ear microphone in said housing for picking up the voice of a wearer of the helmet

28. A system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said in the ear microphone is adapted to pick up the voice of the wearer from the inner ear canal of the ear.

29. A system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said in the ear microphone is adapted to pick up the voice of the wearer from the bones of the wearer.

30. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a first housing adapted to be received in the ear of a wearer;

an ear speaker in said housing and connected electrically with said transceiver for generating audible sound from signals received by said transceiver;

an in the ear microphone in said housing for picking up the voice of a wearer of the helmet; and

a transceiver unit that extends around the back of the ear for sending and receiving radio signals, said ear speaker and said microphone being connected electrically with said transceiver.

31. A system as set forth in claim 30 wherein said transceiver unit is connected by wires to said ear speaker and said microphone.

32. A wireless communication system for a person, comprising:

a mask;

a wireless microphone located inside said mask; and

a voice amplifier assembly for mounting on the person'"'"'s body remotely from said mask.

33. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 32 wherein said voice amplifier assembly includes a receiver, a power supply, an amplifier, and a speaker.

34. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a mask;

a heads-up display mounted externally on said mask.

35. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 34 wherein said wireless heads up display is mounted on a voice emitter mounting bracket of said mask.

36. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 35 further including a transceiver located remotely from said heads up display for receiving data signals from a remote location and for transmitting data signals, and a receiver connected with said heads up display for receiving data signals from said transceiver and transmitting data to said heads up display.

37. A wireless communication system as set forth in claim 35 further including a voice amplifier.