Telephone interface for mask

• US 20050201548A1
• Filed: 03/11/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc. (Edge Autonomy SLO LLC)
• Original Assignee: Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc. (Edge Autonomy SLO LLC)
• Inventors: Torrieri, Frank, Birli, Joseph, Zimet, Dan, Krnc, Mike
• Application Number:
  US11/078,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20050201548A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/387.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence

Abstract

A telephone interface unit enables a user of a personal protection device, such as a mask, to speak and hear over a standard telephone, without removing the personal protection device.

Claims

1. An interface unit for use with a personal protection device and a telephone;

the interface unit having a mounting portion adapted for mounting on the personal protection device; and

the interface unit including a microphone and a speaker adapted for use by a wearer of the personal protection device when the interface unit is mounted on the personal protection device;

the interface unit having a duplex output adapted for electrical connection with the telephone.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mounting portion of the interface unit is adapted for mounting over a speaker diaphragm.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the output of the interface unit is a cable adapted for duplex connection with the amplifier.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interface unit includes a microphone that provides an electrical output signal that is indicative of the movement of a speaker diaphragm on the device.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interface unit includes an ear speaker on a boom.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interface unit includes an earbud.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interface unit includes an earmic.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interface unit is self-powered.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the output of the interface unit is a wireless connection for transmission to an external device, such as an amplifier.

10. Apparatus comprising:

a personal protective device;

an interface unit for mounting on the device; and

an amplifier for connecting the interface unit with a telephone;

the interface unit including a microphone and a speaker adapted for use by a wearer of the device when the interface unit is mounted on the device;

the interface unit also having an output for connection with the amplifier.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the amplifier is operative to provide full duplex communication between the interface unit and the telephone.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the personal protective device is a mask.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the mask has a mechanical speaker diaphragm and the interface unit is mounted over the speaker diaphragm.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein the mask includes a ring holding the speaker diaphragm in place on the mask, the ring having an external connection capability for supporting the interface unit on the mask.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the output of the interface unit is a duplex cable adapted for connection with the amplifier.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the amplifier is a universal modular amplifier.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the interface unit includes a microphone that provides an electrical output signal that is indicative of the movement of a speaker diaphragm on the device.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the interface unit includes an ear speaker on a boom.

19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the interface unit includes an earbud.

20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the interface unit includes an earmic.

21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the interface unit is self- powered.

22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the output of the interface unit is a wireless connection for transmission to the amplifier.