A WIRELESS HEADSET COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR AIRCRAFT AND METHOD THEREFOR

• US 20070287447A1
• Filed: 06/13/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Cornell, Bradley D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,787,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/431
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system has a wireless headset for transmitting and receiving communication signals. At least one aircraft transceiver having a connector to plug the transceiver to a headphone jack in the existing aircraft communication system is provided. The transceiver sends communication signals from the existing aircraft communication system and wirelessly transmits the communication signals to the transceiver and wirelessly receives communications signals from the wireless headset.

Claims

1. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system comprising:

a wireless headset for transmitting and receiving communication signals; and

at least one aircraft transceiver having a connector to plug the aircraft transceiver to a headphone jack in the existing aircraft communication system, the aircraft transceiver wirelessly transmitting and receiving the communication signals to and from the wireless headset.

2. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a wire having a first end coupled to the transceiver and a second end coupled to the wireless headset to charge the wireless headset.

3. An aircraft communication system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a wire having a first end coupled to the transceiver and a second end coupled to the wireless headset to provide fail safe communication.

4. An aircraft communication system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a wire having a first end coupled to the wireless headset and a second end coupled to an existing headphone jack in an aircraft to provide fail safe communication.

5. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one transceiver comprises:

a transmitter/receiver circuit for wirelessly sending and receiving communication signals; and

a back-up power supply coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit.

6. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the transceiver further comprises an encryption/decryption circuit coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit.

7. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the wireless headset comprises:

a headset transmitter/receiver circuit for wirelessly sending and receiving communication signals;

at least one earpiece coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit;

a microphone coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit; and

a headset back-up power supply coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit.

8. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the wireless headset further comprises a headset encryption/decryption circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit.

9. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the wireless headset further comprises a loss of signal indicator circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit to indicate when the wireless headset is not communicating with the wireless transceiver.

10. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the wireless headset further comprises a low battery indicator circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit.

11. An aircraft communication system comprising:

a transceiver having a connector to plug the transceiver to a headphone jack in an existing aircraft communication system, communication signals being wirelessly transmitted to and from the transceiver; and

a wireless headset for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the transceiver.

12. An aircraft communication system in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a wire having a first end coupled to the transceiver and a second end coupled to the wireless headset to charge the wireless headset and provide fail safe communication.

13. An aircraft communication system in accordance with claim 12 wherein the wire will having a first end coupled to the wireless headset and a second end coupled to the headphone jack to provide fail safe communication.

14. An aircraft communication system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the transceiver comprises:

a transmitter/receiver circuit for wirelessly sending and receiving communication signals; and

a back-up power supply coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit.

15. An aircraft communication system in accordance with claim 14 wherein the transceiver further comprises an encryption/decryption circuit coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit.

16. An aircraft communication system in accordance with claim 11 wherein the wherein the wireless headset comprises:

a headset transmitter/receiver circuit for wirelessly sending and receiving communication signals;

at least one earpiece coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit;

a microphone coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit; and

a headset back-up power supply coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit.

17. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the wireless headset further comprises a headset encryption/decryption circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit.

18. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the wireless headset further comprises a loss of signal indicator circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit to indicate when the wireless headset is not communicating with the wireless transceiver.

19. A system for converting an existing aircraft communication system to a wireless communication system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the wireless headset further comprises a low battery indicator circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit.

20. An aircraft communication system comprising:

a transceiver having a connector to plug the transceiver to a headphone jack in an existing aircraft communication system, communication signals being wirelessly transmitted to and from the transceiver, wherein the transceiver comprises;

a transmitter/receiver circuit for wirelessly sending and receiving communication signals;

a back-up power supply coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit; and

a transceiver jack;

a wireless headset for transmitting and receiving communication signals to and from the transceiver, wherein the wherein the wireless headset comprises;

a headset transmitter/receiver circuit for wirelessly sending and receiving communication signals;

at least one earpiece coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit;

a microphone coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit;

a headset back-up power supply coupled to the transmitter/receiver circuit;

a loss of signal indicator circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit to indicate when the wireless headset is not communicating with the wireless transceiver;

a low battery indicator circuit coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit; and

a wireless headset jack coupled to the headset transmitter/receiver circuit; and

a wire having a first end coupled to the transceiver and a second end coupled to the wireless headset to charge the wireless headset and provide fail safe communication, wherein the wire can having a first end coupled to the wireless headset and a second end coupled to the headphone jack to provide fail safe communication.