Wireless voice transmission system

• US 5,566,362 A
• Filed: 05/03/1994
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc. (Edge Autonomy SLO LLC)
• Original Assignee: Audiopack Sound Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Ramos, Jose L., Bauer, Alfred, Birli, Joseph A., Skillicorn, Greg L., Becker, Jack J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANKS HAROLD, MARSHA DENISE
• Application Number:
  US08/237,036
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66, 455/74, 455/89, 455/90, 455/346, 455/348, 455/349, 455/62, 455/128, 455/41, 455/100, 455/88, 455/11.1, 455/15, 455/20, 379/175, 381/168, 381/169, 381/187
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• 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

Abstract

A voice transmission system for a protective face mask is provided, comprising a voice transmitter attached to an external portion of the face mask, a radio receiver, and a two-way radio. The voice transmitter is attached to an external portion of the face mask and transmits the voice of a user of the face mask via a short range radio signal. The radio receiver receives the short range radio signal output by the voice transmitter, processes the short range radio signal, and outputs an audio output signal. The two-way radio (i) receives the audio output signal from the radio receiver, amplifies the audio output signal, and transmits the amplified audio output signal to a remotely located receiver, in a transmitting mode, and (ii) receives a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter in a receiving mode. A voice actuated switch switches the two way radio between receiving and transmitting modes. The transmitter transmits the short range radio signal in the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range, and the receiver downconverts the short range radio signal from the UHF radio range to the audio frequency range.

Claims

1. A voice transmission system for a protective face mask provided with a voice diaphragm, comprising:

a voice transmitter module for transmitting the voice of a user of the face mask via a short range radio signal, said voice transmitter module at least partially enclosing a microphone and removably attachable to an external portion of the face mask opposite the voice diaphragm such that said microphone is fixedly positioned proximate the user'"'"'s mouth;

a first radio receiver remotely located from said voice transmitter module for receiving said short range radio signal output by said voice transmitter module, processing said short range radio signal, and outputting an audio output signal; and

a transceiver for (i) receiving said audio output signal from said first radio receiver, amplifying said audio output signal, and transmitting said amplified audio output signal to a remotely located second receiver, in a transmitting mode, and for (ii) receiving a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter, in a receiving mode.

2. The voice transmission system of claim 1, further comprising a switch for switching the transceiver between receiving and transmitting modes.

3. The voice transmission system of claim 2, wherein said switch is voice actuated, switching the transceiver into transmitting mode when detecting the user'"'"'s voice and switching the transceiver into receiving mode when not detecting the user'"'"'s voice.

4. The voice transmission system of claim 2, further comprising a magnetically actuatable reed switch contained within the voice transmitter module and a magnet mounted to the outside of the module and slidable with respect to said reed switch.

5. The voice transmission system of claim 2, wherein said transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range.

6. The voice transmission system of claim 5, wherein said voice transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the 1.0-2.4 gigahertz range.

7. The voice transmission system of claim 5, wherein said first receiver downconverts said short range radio signal from the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range to the audio frequency range.

8. The voice transmission system of claim 1, further providing local voice amplification in the form of a speaker driven by said first radio receiver.

9. A communications system, comprising:

a protective face mask sealable against the face of a user and provided with a voice diaphragm;

a voice transmitter module for transmitting the voice of a user of said face mask via a short range radio signal, said voice transmitter module at least partially enclosing a microphone and removably attachable to an external portion of the face mask opposite the voice diaphragm such that said microphone is fixedly positioned proximate the user'"'"'s mouth;

a first radio receiver remotely located from said voice transmitter module for receiving said short range radio signal output by said voice transmitter module, processing said short range radio signal, and outputting an audio output signal; and

a transceiver for (i) receiving said audio output signal from said first radio receiver, amplifying said audio output signal, and transmitting said amplified audio output signal to a remotely located second receiver, in a transmitting mode, and for (ii) receiving a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter, in a receiving mode.

10. The communications system of claim 9, further comprising a switch for switching the transceiver between receiving and transmitting modes.

11. The communications system of claim 10, wherein said switch is voice actuated, switching the transceiver into transmitting mode when detecting the user'"'"'s voice and switching the transceiver into receiving mode when not detecting the user'"'"'s voice.

12. The communications system of claim 10, further comprising a magnetically actuatable reed switch contained within the voice transmitter module and a magnet mounted to the outside of the module and slidable with respect to said reed switch.

13. The communications system of claim 10, wherein said transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range.

14. The communications system of claim 13, wherein said voice transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the 1.0-2.4 gigahertz range.

15. The communications system of claim 13, wherein said first receiver downconverts said short range radio signal from the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range to the audio frequency range.

16. The communications system of claim 9, further providing local voice amplification in the form of a speaker driven by said first radio receiver.