Two way device free communications system

• US 20080130919A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Cochran, Edward L., Whillock, Rand P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,009,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/111
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

A two way communication system that does not require the use of a device by one of the communicators. The system employs an audio spotlight to project a signal to a specific location, where one person is, and a laser audio receiver to receive the response. Both the audio spotlight and the laser audio receiver are directed by a user seeking to communicate with the person at long range.

Claims

1. A device for communicating to and from a location remote from the device, comprising:

an audio spotlight for transmitting sent sound to said remote location, including a microphone for a user to create said sent sound;

a laser audio receiver for transmitting received sound from said remote location, including a speaker for broadcasting said received sound;

an aiming device for directing the device to said remote location; and

a power source for providing power to said device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said aiming device is manually operated.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said aiming device includes a subject tracker for tracking a location or person and a pan tilt unit for aiming said device in response to the output of said subject tracker.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said power source is selected from battery power and a wired power source.

5. The device of claim 1, which further includes a recorder for recording communication sent and/or received by said device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sent sound and received sounds are audible only to the user.

7. A device for communicating to and from a location remote from the device, comprising:

audio spotlight means for transmitting sent sound to said remote location, including microphone means for a user to create said sent sound;

laser audio receiver means for transmitting received sound from said remote location, including speaker means for broadcasting said received sound;

aiming device means for directing the device to said remote location; and

power source means for providing power to said device.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said aiming device means is manually operated.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said aiming device means includes a subject tracker means for tracking a location or person and a pan tilt unit means for aiming said device in response to the output of said subject tracker means.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said power source means is selected from battery power and a wired power source.

11. The device of claim 7, which further includes a recorder means for recording communication sent and/or received by said device.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein at least one of said sent sound and received sounds are audible only to the user.

13. A method for communicating to and from a location remote from the method, comprising:

transmitting sent sound to said remote location with an audio spotlight including a microphone for a user to create said sent sound;

transmitting received sound from said remote location with a laser audio receiver including a speaker for broadcasting said received sound;

aiming said audio spotlight and said laser audio receiver at said remote location; and

providing a power supply to said audio spotlight and said laser audio receiver.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said aiming is manual.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said aiming includes using a subject tracker for tracking a location or person and a pan tilt unit for aiming in response to the output of said subject tracker.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said power supply is selected from battery power and a wired power source.

17. The method of claim 13, which further includes recording communication sent and/or received by said method.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of said sent sound and received sounds are made audible only to the user.