Integrated wireless communication system

• US 5,793,855 A
• Filed: 06/02/1997
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peck/Pelissier
• Original Assignee: Peck/Pelisser Partnership
• Inventors: Peck, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/867,227
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 379/175, 381/156, 381/188, 381/189, 381/167, 381/168, 381/169, 367/132, 455/87, 455/90, 455/100, 455/425, 455/462, 455/463
• US Class Current: 379/175
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/02 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 9/001 Two-way communication systems between a limited number of parties

Abstract

A wireless communication system, for example for underwater divers, wherein the receiver portion and the transmitter portion of the system are mounted at the user'"'"'s ear and mouth, respectively, by a single strap. The single strap is also used to maintain the communication system electronics and the mouth mask securely in place.

Claims

1. A mask apparatus for underwater divers comprising,

mask means configured to cover at least the mouth and adjacent areas of the head of a diver,

a power source, microphone means mounted in said mask means,

strap means adapted to be worn on said head of a diver,

said strap means adapted to support said power source and said mask means thereby to provide a unitary communication system for the diver, and

a push-to-talk (PTT) switch mounted in said mask means adjacent to said microphone means and operative to selectively activate said microphone means to permit the diver to communicate via said microphone means.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein, said microphone means is electrically connected to said power source by conductors included in said strap means.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 including,

switch means connected to said power source and operative to selectively supply power to said microphone means.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 including,

transducer means for selectively transmitting and receiving acoustical signals,

said transducer means mounted on said strap means and connected to said microphone means.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein, said mask means includes a second stage regulator. element, respectively, and the other end connected to said power source.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein, said switch means comprises water activated switches.

7. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein, said power source comprises a battery.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein,

said microphone means includes a microphone housing mounted at the interior surface of said mask means to form a resonant chamber,

a retaining ring tightly assembled to said microphone housing,

diaphragm means mounted between said microphone housing and said retaining ring in said resonant chamber, and

a piezoelectric element mounted at said diaphragm means.

9. The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein,

said diaphragm means includes first and second diaphragm layers formed of a strong, flexible material.

10. The apparatus recited in claim 9 including,

a thin, metallic plate disposed between said first and second diaphragm layers and supporting said piezoelectric element.

11. The apparatus recited in claim 10 including,

first and second conductors each having one end connected to said metallic plate and said piezoelectric element, respectively, and the other end connected to said power source.

12. The apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein,

said thin, metallic plate is adhered to one of said diaphragm layers and said piezoelectric element is adhered to the other one of said diaphragm layers.

13. The apparatus recited in claim 12 wherein,

said PTT switch is mounted in a bulbous housing on the outer surface of said mask means adjacent to said strap means.

14. The apparatus recited in claim 13 including,

a magnetic reed switch mounted within said bulbous housing, and

a magnet embedded in said bulbous housing adjacent to said magnetic reed switch.

15. A mask apparatus for underwater divers comprising,

mask means configured to cover at least the mouth and adjacent areas of the head of a diver,

a power source,

microphone means mounted in said mask means,

strap means adapted to be worn on said head of a diver,

said strap means adapted to support said power source and said mask means, provide a unitary communication system for the diver, and

a push-to-talk (PTT) switch mounted in said mask means adjacent to said microphone means and operative to selectively activate said microphone means to permit the diver to communicate via said microphone means,

a bulbous housing on the outer surface of said mask means adjacent to said strap means,

a magnetic reed switch mounted within said bulbous housing, and

a magnet embedded in said bulbous housing adjacent to said magnetic reed switch to selectively activate said magnetic reed switch in response to manipulation of said bulbous housing.