High noise communication system

• US 6,104,816 A
• Filed: 08/31/1998
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Downs, Edward F. Jr., Venturella, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheney, Clark S.
• Application Number:
  US09/144,683
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 381/94.1, 381/173, 381/326, 381/370, 381/372, 381/375, 381/380, 381/190, 381/328, 369/19, 455/79
• US Class Current: 381/94.1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• 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: H04R 1/083 Special constructions of mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Abstract

A head-supported two-way communication system. The system combines a thin bstrate forehead or head-bone microphone, a noise filter embedding the microphone, a universal impedance matcher connecting the microphone to a two-way radio, an unobstructed and unfettered-access push-to-talk switch, and a pair of rigidly positionable noise protected speakers, all secured to a head-supported structure permitting proper location of the embedded microphone, the switch, and the speakers for a particular user and application.

Claims

1. A high-noise environment communication system comprising:

a head-supported structure;

means for performing switching for two-way communications, said means adjustably securable to said head-supported structure;

a microphone;

an acoustic filter assembly substantially encasing said microphone wherein a portion of said microphone remains exposed, said acoustic filter assembly coupled to said head-supported structure so that said portion of said microphone is positioned adjacent an exterior portion of a user'"'"'s head having near-surface bone structure when the head-supported structure is worn by said user;

said acoustic filter assembly being a solid structure having i) an open cavity lined with a high-density metal surrounding said microphone except for said portion remaining exposed, ii) a first layer of a low-density foam encasing said open cavity, iii) a second layer of a high-density rubber-like material adjacent said first layer, iv) a third layer of said high-density metal adjacent said second layer, v) a fourth layer of said low-density foam adjacent said third layer, and vi) a fifth layer of said high-density rubber-like material adjacent said fourth layer;

an impedance matching means securable to said head-supported structure and electrically connecting said microphone to a two-way radio and said two-way switching means; and

means for supplying voice inputs to said user'"'"'s ear, said means adjustably securable to said head-supported structure, rigidly adjustably mounted to permit positioning of said means in juxtaposition with said user'"'"'s ear, and connected electrically to said two-way radio.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for performing switching is a push-to-talk switch.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for performing switching is a verbal-command-activated switch.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said microphone in said acoustic filter assembly is forehead located by said head-supported structure.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein picking up voice sounds said microphone is a piezoelectric film microphone.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said high-density metal is lead.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said impedance matching means is a pre-set, adjustable-gain impedance matching circuit which will match the output of said microphone with any HF, VHF, or SATCOM radio having an input impedance value ranging from 5 ohms to 2000 ohms.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said impedance matching means is substantially encased in a metallic noise shield.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying voice inputs to said user'"'"'s ear is a piezo-ceramic speaker.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying voice inputs to said user'"'"'s ear is adjustably affixed to a flexible cable secured to said head-supported structure and extending over the top of said user'"'"'s head, said flexible cable permitting said means for supply voice inputs to be adjustably positioned in juxtaposition with said user'"'"'s ear.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a protective fabric encasing said acoustic filter assembly along with said portion of said microphone.

12. A high-noise environment communication system, comprising:

a head-supported structure;

a microphone assembly adjustably secured to said head-supported structure to permit adjustable contact with a portion of the head of a user having a near-surface bone structure, said microphone assembly being a solid structure having i) a thin-film microphone substantially encased by a high-density metal wherein a surface of said thin-film microphone remains exposed, ii) a first layer of a low-density foam encasing said high-density metal wherein said surface of said thin-film microphone is flush with said low-density foam, iii) a second layer of a high-density rubber-like material backing the entirety of said first layer, iv) a third layer of said high-density metal backing the entirety of said second layer, v) a fourth layer of said low-density foam backing the entirety of said third layer, and vi) a fifth layer of said high-density rubber-like material backing the entirety of said fourth layer;

an impedance matching circuit connected to a two-way radio;

an activate-to-talk switch connected between said microphone assembly and said radio; and

an earphone assembly rigidly-adjustably secured to said head-supported structure to permit positioning of said assembly in juxtaposition to said user'"'"'s ear.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said impedance matching circuit matches the output of said microphone assembly with any HF, VHF, or SATCOM radio having an input impedance value ranging from 5 ohms to 2000 ohms.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said activate-to-talk switch is a push-to-talk switch sized to permit activation by a gloved user.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said earphone assembly is adjustably affixed to a flexible cable secured to said head-supported structure and extending over said user'"'"'s head, said flexible cable permitting said means for supplying voice inputs to be adjustably positioned in juxtaposition with said user'"'"'s ear.

16. The system of claim 12 further comprising a protective fabric encasing said microphone assembly.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein said impedance matching circuit is protectively covered with a thin metallic noise shield.

18. A high-noise environment microphone assembly comprising:

an ambient noise filter being of a solid structure having i) a first layer of a low-density foam, ii) an open cavity lined with a high-density metal embedded in said first layer, iii) a second layer of a high-density rubber-like material adjacent said first layer, iv) a third layer of said high-density metal adjacent said second layer, v) a fourth layer of said low-density foam adjacent said third layer, and vi) a fifth layer of said high-density rubber-like material adjacent said fourth layer; and

a piezoelectric transducer for picking up user voice sounds, said transducer fitted in said lined cavity such that a face of said transducer is exposed to permit user-voice sound pickup.

19. The microphone assembly of claim 18 wherein said transducer is a piezoelectric-film sound transducer connected as a microphone.

20. The of claim 18 wherein said high-density metal is lead.