WIRELESS HEADSET AND MICROPHONE ASSEMBLY FOR COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

• US 20070004464A1
• Filed: 09/01/2006
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radeum, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Radeum, Inc.
• Inventors: Lair, John, Dobyns, Douglas, Sutera, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,818,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/569.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a communications system implementing a microphone wirelessly connected to a half-duplex communications device, such as a two-way radio or a radio-simulating cellular phone. The microphone may incorporate a transmit/receive switch wherein a transmit signal is wirelessly transmitted from the microphone to the communications device to direct the communications device to enter into a transmit mode. The microphone may communicate with the half-duplex communications device through a magnetic induction link.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wirelessly communicating audio information to and from a half-duplex radio, the apparatus comprising:

an adapter for connection to a half-duplex radio, and

a microphone assembly for wirelessly communicating information to the adapter;

wherein

said microphone assembly comprises;

a speaker to output audio information to the user;

a microphone to receive audio information from the user;

a switch;

a microphone transceiver to wirelessly transmit information to the adapter; and

a microphone processor for receiving information from the microphone, switch and transceiver and providing information to the speaker and transceiver, the processor providing a first transmit mode signal representative of an engagement of the switch and a signal of the audio information from the user to the transceiver for transmission to the adapter; and

said adapter comprises;

an interface for connection to the half-duplex radio;

an adapter transceiver to receive the first transmit mode signal directly from the wireless microphone; and

an adapter processor connected to the interface to provide a second transmit mode signal to the half-duplex radio upon receipt of the first transmit mode signal, the second transmit mode signal for causing the half-duplex radio to enter a half-duplex transmission mode.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the adapter processor receives audio information via the adapter transceiver and provides the audio information to the half-duplex radio through the interface.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the adapter processor receives audio information from the half-duplex radio through the interface and transmits at least a portion of the audio information through the adapter transceiver.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the adapter is integrated with the half-duplex radio.

5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the adapter is separate from the half-duplex radio.

6. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism that disables the adapter, the mechanism configuring the adapter such that the half-duplex radio operates as if the apparatus is not present.

7. The apparatus is in claim 6, wherein the mechanism causes a microphone in the half-duplex radio to function.

8. The apparatus is in claim 6, wherein the mechanism causes a speaker in the half-duplex radio to function.

9. A microphone assembly for communicating audio information to and from a half-duplex communications device, the microphone assembly comprising:

a speaker to output audio information to a user;

a microphone to receive audio information from the user;

a switch; and

an induction transceiver adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal through a magnetic induction link to the half-duplex communications device, the signal representative of an engagement of the switch, the signal for causing the half-duplex communications device to enter a half-duplex transmission mode.

10. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, wherein the magnetic induction link is a near field magnetic induction link operating over a short range, thus forming a small operational bubble.

11. The microphone assembly as in claim 10, wherein the short range is about two meters.

12. The microphone assembly as is in claim 10, wherein the induction transceiver is adapted to indicate that the magnetic induction link absent.

13. The microphone assembly as in claim 12, wherein the induction transceiver indicates that the magnetic induction link is absent by causing the speaker to output an audible indication.

14. The microphone assembly as in claim 12, wherein the induction transceiver indicates that the magnetic induction link is absent by vibrator to vibrate.

15. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, wherein the magnetic induction link operates at a frequency from 10 MHz to 15 MHz.

16. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, wherein the magnetic induction link is used to transmit at least a portion of the audio information from the user.

17. The microphone assembly as in claim 16, wherein the at least a portion of the audio information from the user is transmitted as packetized digital information.

18. The microphone assembly as in claim 17, further comprising:

an encoder adapted to convert an analog signal representative of the audio information from the user to a digital signal; and

a processor operably connected to the encoder and the induction transceiver, the processor adapted to packetize the digital signal;

wherein the induction transceiver is further adapted to wirelessly transmit the packetized digital signal.

19. The microphone assembly as in claim 17, wherein the packetized digital information is encrypted.

20. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, further comprising:

a processor operably connected to the induction transceiver, the processor adapted to store a security code, the processor enabling the induction transceiver only where a matching security code is stored at the half-duplex communications device.

21. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, further comprising an indicator for indicating that the magnetic induction link is established with the half-duplex communications device.

22. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, wherein the induction transceiver shuts down after the magnetic induction link is absent for a predetermined period of time.

23. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, wherein the induction transceiver receives operational power over the magnetic induction link.

24. The microphone assembly as in claim 23, further comprising a battery and wherein at least a portion of the operational power received over the magnetic induction link is stored in the battery.

25. The microphone assembly as in claim 9, further comprising a radio frequency transceiver to wirelessly transmit the audio information from the user.

26. The microphone assembly as in claim 25, further comprising a switch for activating the radio frequency transceiver when the magnetic induction link is absent.

27. An apparatus comprising:

an interface for connection to a half-duplex communications device;

an induction transceiver to receive signals from a wireless microphone through a magnetic induction link;

a processor connected to the induction transceiver for receiving a first transmit mode signal indicating engagement of a switch, the processor connected to the interface for providing a second transmit mode signal to the half-duplex communications device to direct the half-duplex communications device to switch to a half-duplex transmit mode.

28. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the processor is adapted to receive audio information through the induction transceiver and provide the audio information to the half-duplex communications device through the interface.

29. The apparatus as in claim 28, wherein the audio information is received from the wireless microphone.

30. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the magnetic induction link is a near field magnetic induction link operating over a short range, thus forming a small operational bubble.

31. The apparatus as in claim 30, wherein the short range is about two meters.

32. The apparatus as in claim 27, further comprising an indicator for indicating that the magnetic induction link is established with the half-duplex communications device.

33. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the processor receives audio information from the half-duplex communications device through the interface and transmits at least a portion of the audio information through the induction transceiver.

34. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the magnetic induction link operates at a frequency from 10 MHz to 15 MHz.

35. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the first transmit mode signal is received from the wireless microphone over the magnetic induction link.

36. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the first transmit mode signal is received from a wireless transmit switch assembly.

37. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the apparatus is integrated with the half-duplex communications device.

38. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the apparatus is separate from the half-duplex communications device.

39. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the processor is adapted to store a security code, the processor enabling the apparatus only where a matching security code is stored at the wireless microphone.

40. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the apparatus draws operational power from the half-duplex communications device.

41. The apparatus as in claim 27, further comprising a mechanism for disabling the apparatus, the mechanism configuring the apparatus such that the half-duplex communications device operates as if the apparatus is not present.

42. The apparatus as in claim 27, further comprising a switch for causing the half-duplex communications device to function without the wireless microphone.

43. The apparatus as in claim 27, wherein the induction transceiver is adapted to provide operational power to the wireless microphone.

44. The apparatus as in claim 27, further comprising a radio frequency transceiver to receive signals from the wireless microphone.

45. The apparatus as in claim 44, wherein the processor activates the radio frequency transceiver upon detecting that the magnetic induction link is absent.

46. A system comprising:

a half-duplex communications device; and

a microphone wirelessly connected through a magnetic induction link to the half-duplex communications device;

wherein the microphone is adapted to wirelessly transmit a transmit mode signal to the half-duplex communications device through the magnetic induction link, the transmit mode signal causing the half-duplex communications device to enter a half-duplex transmission mode; and

wherein the half-duplex communications device is adapted to transmit in the half-duplex transmission mode audio information based at least in part upon receipt of the transmit mode signal.

47. The system as in claim 46, wherein the microphone includes a switch operable by a user and wherein the transmit mode signal is transmitted when the switch is engaged by the user.

48. The system as in claim 46, wherein the magnetic induction link is a near field magnetic link operating over a short range, thus forming a small operational bubble.

49. The system as in claim 48, wherein the short range is about two meters.

50. The system as in claim 46, wherein the microphone is adapted to indicate that the magnetic induction link is absent.

51. The system as in claim 50, wherein the microphone indicates that the magnetic induction link is absent by outputting an audible indication.

52. The system as in claim 50, wherein the microphone indicates that the magnetic induction link is absent by vibrating.

53. The system as in claim 46, wherein the apparatus is adapted to indicate that the magnetic induction link is established.

54. The system as in claim 46, wherein the microphone wirelessly transmits the audio information for reception by the half-duplex communications device through the magnetic induction link.

55. The system as in claim 54, wherein the half-duplex communications device wirelessly transmits audio information for reception by the microphone through the magnetic induction link.

56. The system as in claim 55, wherein the audio information from the microphone and the audio information from the half-duplex communications device is transmitted as packetized digital information.

57. The system as in claim 46, wherein the magnetic induction link operates at frequency from 10 MHz to 15 MHz.

58. The system as in claim 46, wherein a security code is stored at the microphone and the magnetic induction link is established upon a determination that a matching security code is stored at the half-duplex communications device.

59. The system as in claim 46, wherein the wireless microphone shuts down after the magnetic induction link is absent for a predetermined period of time.

60. The system as in claim 46, wherein the microphone receives operational power from the half-duplex communications device over the magnetic induction link.

61. The system as in claim 60, wherein at least a portion of the operational power received over the magnetic induction link is stored in a battery at the microphone.

62. The system as in claim 46, wherein the half-duplex communications device includes a mechanism that shuts down the magnetic induction link and activates a microphone and speaker in the half-duplex communications device.

63. The system as in claim 46, wherein the microphone includes a radio frequency transceiver to transmit information.

64. A system comprising:

a half-duplex communications device;

a transmit switch assembly wirelessly connected to the half-duplex communications device through a magnetic induction link; and

a microphone connected to the half-duplex communications device through the magnetic induction link;

wherein the transmit switch assembly is adapted to wirelessly transmit a transmit mode signal for reception by the half-duplex communications device, the transmit mode signal causing the half-duplex communications device to enter a half-duplex transmission mode; and

wherein the half-duplex communications device is adapted to transmit in the half-duplex transmission mode audio information received from the microphone based at least in part upon receipt of the transmit mode signal.

65. The system as in claim 64, wherein the magnetic induction link is a near field magnetic link operating over a short range, thus forming a small operational bubble.

66. The system as in claim 65, wherein the short range is about two meters.

67. The system as in claim 64, wherein the system is adapted to indicate that the magnetic induction link is absent.

68. The system as in claim 64, wherein the system is adapted to indicate that the magnetic induction link is established.

69. The system as in claim 64, wherein the transmit switch assembly includes a switch operable by a user and wherein the transmit mode signal is transmitted when the switch is engaged by the user.

70. The system as in claim 64, wherein the transmit switch assembly includes a speaker for outputting audio information received from the half-duplex communications device.

71. The system as in claim 64, wherein the transmit switch assembly receives operational power through the magnetic induction link.

72. The system as in claim 64, wherein the microphone is adapted to wirelessly transmit the audio information for reception by the half-duplex communications device through the magnetic induction link.

73. The system as in claim 72, wherein the audio information from the microphone is transmitted as packetized digital information.

74. The system as in claim 64, wherein the magnetic induction link operates at frequency from 10 MHz to 15 MHz.

75. The system as in claim 64, wherein a security code is stored at the microphone and the magnetic induction link is established upon a determination that a matching security code is stored at the half-duplex communications device.

76. A system comprising:

a half-duplex communications device;

a microphone including a transmitter for wirelessly communicating with the half-duplex communications device, wherein the microphone is adapted to wirelessly transmit a transmit mode signal to the half-duplex communications device, the transmit mode signal causing the half-duplex communications device to enter a half-duplex transmission mode, and wherein the half-duplex communications device is adapted to transmit in the half-duplex transmission mode audio information based at least in part upon receipt of the transmit mode signal; and

a cord for attaching the microphone to the half-duplex communications device, the cord providing power from the half-duplex communications device to the microphone.

77. The system as in claim 76, where in the microphone includes a battery and the power provided through the cord recharges the battery.

78. The system as in claim 76, wherein the microphone includes a switch operable by a user and wherein the transmit mode signal is transmitted when the switch is engaged by the user.

79. The system as in claim 76, wherein the transmitter communicates with the half duplex communications is through an adapter connected to the half-duplex communications device.

80. The system as in claim 79, wherein the adapter is integrated with the half-duplex communications device.

81. The system as in claim 79, wherein the adapter is separate from the half-duplex communications device.

82. The system as in claim 79, wherein the adapter is connected to the half-duplex communications device through a microphone jack.

83. The system as in claim 79, wherein the adapter is included in the cord.

84. The system as in claim 76, wherein the transmit mode signal is transmitted to the half-duplex communications device through the cord when the cord is attached to the half-duplex communications device.

85. The system as in claim 76, wherein the transmitter transmits audio information from the microphone to the half-duplex communications device.

86. The system as in claim 85, wherein the audio information is transmitted from the microphone to the half-duplex communications device through the cord when the cord is attached to the half-duplex communications device.

87. The system as in claim 76, wherein the microphone further comprises a speaker that outputs audio information received from the half-duplex communications device.