Wireless intercom system

• US 7,103,392 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2002
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hall, Ronald W., Medek, James C., Fletcher, Douglas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ, ANGELICA
• Application Number:
  US10/050,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20030134666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 455/463, 455/3.05, 455/3.03, 455/569.1, 455/550.1, 455/416, 455/550, 455/557.2, 455/554, 455/544.1, 455/554.2, 455/555, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 379/159, 379/160, 379/167.01, 379/174, 379/167.02, 379/167.03, 379/167.04, 379/167.14, 379/167.15, D14/159, D14/147, D14/142, D14/149, D14/150, D14/155
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72513 On hold, intercom or transfer communication modes

Abstract

A wireless intercom unit includes an electronics housing including a first side, where the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface. The intercom unit also includes a microphone, a speaker, and an input device, where these components are located on a portion of the housing other than the first side. The intercom further includes a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range. In another embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and an earpiece for wireless communication with the wireless intercom unit. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and a remote switch for providing user input information to the intercom unit.

Claims

1. A wireless intercom system comprising:

a wireless intercom unit comprising;

(a) an electronics housing including a first side, wherein the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface;

(b) a microphone configured to receive an audio signal input, said microphone located on a portion of the housing other than the first side;

(c) a speaker configured to broadcast an audio signal output, said speaker located on a portion of the housing other than the first side;

(d) a first intercom transceiver for a first radio frequency range operably connected to the microphone and the speaker; and

(e) an input device located on a portion of the housing other than the first side;

(f) a second intercom transceiver for a second radio frequency range;

(g) a third intercom transceiver for an additional radio frequency range, wherein the input device is a channel control input device configured to select the first or third intercom transceiver; and

a base station that communicates with the wireless intercom unit via radio waves;

a speaker post that communicates with the base station via radio waves;

an earpiece configured to be worn on a ear of a user, the earpiece comprising an earpiece speaker, an earpiece microphone; and

an earpiece transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio waves in a second radio frequency range.

2. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the electronics housing includes a second side wherein the second side is configured to face a user when the wireless intercom unit is resting on the first side, wherein the microphone and input device are located on the second side.

3. The wireless intercom system of claim 2 wherein the speaker is located on the second side.

4. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein said first side is substantially flat.

5. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein said first side comprises a supporting structure to support the wireless intercom unit when it is set on a planar surface.

6. The wireless intercom system of claim 5 wherein the supporting structure comprises four posts on the first side.

7. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the wireless intercom unit further comprises a bracket attached to said first side configured to be mounted on a substantially vertical planar surface.

8. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the input device is selected from a group of a power control input device, a volume control input device, channel control input device and a page mode input device.

9. The wireless intercom system of claim 1, wherein the microphone comprises an elongated neck to support the microphone above the electronics housing.

10. The wireless intercom system of claim 1 wherein the earpiece further comprises a curved structure configured to fit around the back side of the outer ear of a user, wherein the earpiece speaker is connected to the curved structure and is configured to rest proximate the outer ear of the user, wherein the earpiece microphone is connected to the earpiece speaker and is configured to be in close proximity to the mouth of the user.

11. A wireless intercom system comprising:

a wireless intercom unit comprising;

(a) an electronics housing including a first side, wherein the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface;

(b) a microphone configured to receive an audio signal input, said microphone located on a portion of the housing other than the first side;

(c) a speaker configured to broadcast an audio signal output, said speaker located on a portion of the housing other than the first side.

(d) a first intercom transceiver for a first radio frequency range operably connected to the microphone and the speaker; and

(e) an input device located on a portion of the housing other than first side

(f) a second intercom transceiver for a second radio frequency range;

(g) an auxiliary receiver for receiving radio waves in the third radio frequency range;

a base station that communicates with the wireless intercom unit via radio waves;

a speaker post that communicates with the base station via radio waves;

an earpiece configured to be worn on an ear of a user, the earpiece comprising an earpiece speaker, an earpiece microphone, and an earpiece transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio waves in the second radio frequency range; and

a switch comprising;

(a) a switch housing;

(b) at least one pressure sensor located inside or on the surface of the switch housing; and

(c) a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting radio waves in a third radio frequency range.