Wireless control of helmet-mounted communications equipment

• US 7,203,525 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2005
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael D. Dieringer
• Original Assignee: Michael D. Dieringer
• Inventors: Dieringer, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WASHINGTON, ERIKA ALISE
• Application Number:
  US11/270,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20060194604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3855 carried in a belt or harness

Abstract

A communication system for use by a helmeted rider of power sports equipment which enables the rider to control operating characteristics, such as the operating mode, of a microphone-including arrangement for a two-way radio or public address (PA) equipment while the rider maintains his grip about the handlebars of the power sports equipment for operation thereof. In addition, the microphone-including arrangement is supported entirely by the helmet of the rider, and the communication system does not involve any connecting wires which may otherwise extend between any components of the system which are carried by the rider and any components of the system which are carried by the power sports equipment.

Claims

1. In a communication system for use by a helmeted rider of power sports equipment having handlebars about which the hands of the rider are positioned during operation of the power sports equipment and wherein the communication system includes a microphone-including arrangement to be carried by the rider and a manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment for controlling operating characteristics of the communication system as the hands of the rider remain positioned about the handlebars of the power sports equipment wherein the microphone-including arrangement includes a helmet-mounted microphone into which voice messages which are spoken by the rider are wirelessly transmitted in the form of voice-carrying signals and wherein there is mounted upon the power sports eguipment at least one of a two-way radio for wireless transmission of voice-carrying signals to a remote site and public address (PA) eguipment for broadcast of voice-carrying signals in the form of audible messages, the improvement comprising:

a control unit mountable upon the power sports equipment and connectable to the manually-operable switch mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment and to the at least one of the two-way radio and the PA eguipment mounted upon the power sports eguipment, and the control unit is adapted to receive the voice-carrying signals from the helmet-mounted microphone for conductance to the two-way radio for transmission to a remote site or for conductance to the PA equipment for broadcast in the form of audible messages;

the control unit and the microphone-including arrangement including means for wirelessly communicating with one another so that control of operating characteristics of the communication system can be had by way of the manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment without any need for wires connected between the microphone-including arrangement and the power sports equipment,

the means for wirelessly communicating is comprised of a first set of components which is associated with the microphone-including arrangement and a second set of components which is associated with the control unit; and

the entirety of said first set of components of the means for wirelessly-communicating is supported by the helmet of the rider so that no wires extend between the helmet of the rider and the person of the rider to effect communication between the microphone-including arrangement and the control unit and so that removal of the helmet from the rider does not require the disconnection of any helmet-carried component from the person of the rider.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the manually-operable switch includes a switch mechanism which is movable between first and second positions of movement, and the manually-operable switch is connected to the control unit so that movement of the switch mechanism from the first position to the second position renders the control unit in condition for receiving voice messages which are spoken into the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement and are subsequently transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein the control unit includes a transceiver for receiving voice-carrying signals, and the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating includes a transceiver for transmitting the voice-carrying signals from the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement to the transceiver of the control unit.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein

the manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars is cooperable with the control unit so that by actuating the manually-operable switch, the voice-carrying signals received by the receiving means are conducted to the one of the two-way radio or PA equipment for transmission or broadcast therefrom.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein there is associated with the power sports equipment a two-way radio for receiving voice-carrying signals which are transmitted to the two-way radio from a remote source;

the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio for receiving the voice-carrying signals received thereby from a remote source and includes means for wirelessly transmitting the received voice-carrying signals from the control unit; and

the first set of components includes means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the control unit and the microphone-including arrangement includes at least one earphone through which the voice-carrying signals which are received by the first set of components are emitted in the form of audible messages.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 further comprising an electronic switch associated with the microphone-including arrangement for enabling the signal-receiving [signal-transmitting] capacity of the microphone-including arrangement from a disabled condition upon receipt of a wireless switching signal;

and

the control unit includes means for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch associated with the microphone-including arrangement upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the power sports equipment includes a kickstand for supporting the power sports equipment when the power sports equipment is not in operation and is pivotally movable relative to the remainder of the power sports equipment between a substantially vertical condition for supporting the power sports equipment as aforesaid and a non-vertical condition for storage of the kickstand, and the improvement further includes a switch associated with the kickstand which is adapted to sense the existence of a substantially non-vertical condition of the kickstand and is connected to the wireless switching signal-sending means of the control unit for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch associated with the microphone-including arrangement when the kickstand is arranged in its substantially non-vertical condition.

8. A communication system for use by a helmeted rider of power sports equipment having handlebars about which the hands of the rider are positioned during operation of the power sports equipment, the system comprising:

at least one of a two-way radio for wireless transmission of voice-carrying signals to a remote site and public address (PA) eguipment for broadcast of voice-carrying signals in the form of audible messages and wherein the at least one of a two-way radio and PA eguipment being mounted upon the power sports eguipment for movement therewith;

a microphone-including arrangement supported by the helmet of the rider for emitting voice-carrying signals, the microphone-including arrangement being operable in a talk mode during which voice messages spoken by the rider are received by the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement and transmitted from the microphone in the form of voice-carrying signals and a non-talk mode;

a control unit mountable upon the power sports eguipment including means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement and being connectable to the at least one of the two-way radio and the PA equipment for conductance of the voice-carrying signals received from the microphone-including arrangement to the at least one of the two-way radio and the PA eguipment for transmission to a remote site or for conductance to the PA eguipment for broadcast in the form of audible messages; and

the control unit and the microphone-including arrangement including means for wirelessly communicating with one another wherein the means for wirelessly communicating is comprised of a first set of components which is associated with the microphone-including arrangement and a second set of components which is associated with the control unit;

the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating being adapted to receive voice messages which are spoken by the rider into the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement to wirelessly transmit the voice messages in the form of voice-carrying signals and the microphone-including arrangement being operable in a talk mode during which messages which are spoken by the rider into the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement are wirelessly transmitted by the first set of components from the microphone-including arrangement and a non-talk mode;

the second set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating including means for capturing the voice-carrying signals which are transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement during the talk mode of operation of the microphone-including arrangement;

a manually-operable switch being mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment and connected to the control unit so that the rider can switch the microphone-including arrangement between the talk and the non-talk modes by way of the control unit as the rider'"'"'s hands remain positioned about the handlebars of the power sports equipment; and

the entirety of the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating is supported by the helmet of the rider so that no wires extend between the helmet of the rider and the person of the rider to effect communication between the microphone-including arrangement and the control unit and so that removal of the helmet from the rider does not require the disconnection of any helmet-carried component from the person of the rider.

9. The system as defined in claim 8 wherein the manually-operable switch includes a switch button which is supported for movement between an extended condition and a depressed condition and which is spring-biased from the depressed condition toward the extended condition so that the manually-operable switch is actuated upon movement of the switch button from the extended condition to the depressed condition.

10. The system as defined in claim 8 wherein there is carried by the power sports equipment a two-way radio to which voice-carrying signals which are transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement are desired to be delivered for transmission therefrom;

the control unit includes a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement; and

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio for conducting the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit to the two-way radio for transmission therefrom.

11. The system as defined in claim 8 wherein there is associated with the power sports equipment public address (PA) equipment including a loudspeaker to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement are desired to be conducted for broadcast therefrom;

the control unit includes a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement; and

the receiver is connectable to the PA equipment for conducting the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit to the PA equipment for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof.

12. The system as defined in claim 8 wherein there is carried by the power sports equipment both a two-way radio to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for transmission therefrom and public address (PA) equipment including a loudspeaker to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof;

the control unit includes a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio;

the manually-operable switch is a first switch and is connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the first switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the two-way radio for transmission therefrom;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the PA equipment; and

the system further includes a second manually-operable switch being mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment and connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the second switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the PA equipment for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof.

13. A communication system for use by a helmeted rider of power sports equipment having handlebars about which the hands of the rider are positioned during operation of the power sports equipment and there is associated with the power sports equipment at least one of a two-way radio or public address (PA) equipment to which voice-carrying signals are desired to be conducted for transmission or broadcast therefrom, the system comprising:

a microphone-including arrangement supported by the helmet of the rider for emitting voice-carrying signals, the microphone-including arrangement being operable in a talk mode during which voice messages which are spoken by the rider are received by the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement and are transmitted from the microphone in the form of voice-carrying signals, and the microphone-including arrangement includes means for wirelessly transmitting the voice-carrying signals from the microphone-including arrangement; and

a control unit mountable upon the power sports equipment and including means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement, and the receiving means of the control unit is connectable to one of the two-way radio or PA equipment for conductance thereto of the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiving means of the control unit; and

the control unit and the microphone-including arrangement including means for wirelessly communicating with one another wherein the means for wirelessly communicating is comprised of a first set of components which is associated with the microphone-including arrangement and a second set of components which is associated with the control unit;

the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating being adapted to receive voice messages which are spoken by the rider into the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement and to wirelessly transmit the voice messages from the microphone-including arrangement in the form of voice-carrying signals;

the second set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating including means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement, and the receiving means of the control unit is connectable to one of the two-way radio or PA eguipment for conductance thereto of the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiving means of the second set of components;

a manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars and connected to the control unit so that by actuating the manually-operable switch, the voice-carrying signals received by the receiving means of the second set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating are conducted to one of the two-way radio or PA equipment for transmission or broadcast therefrom; and

the entirety of the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating is supported by the helmet of the rider so that no wires extend between the helmet of the rider and the person of the rider to effect communication between the microphone-including arrangement and the control unit and so that removal of the helmet from the rider does not require the disconnection of any helmet-carried component from the person of the rider.

14. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein there is associated with the power sports equipment a two-way radio for receiving voice-carrying signals which are transmitted to the radio from a remote source;

the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio for receiving the voice-carrying signals received thereby and includes means for wirelessly transmitting the received voice-carrying signals;

the microphone-including arrangement including a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted from the control unit; and

the microphone-including arrangement further includes an electronic switch for enabling the receiver of the microphone-including arrangement from a disabled condition upon receipt of a wireless switching signal; and

the control means include means for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch of the microphone-including arrangement upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

15. The system as defined in claim 14 wherein the power sports equipment includes a kickstand for supporting the power sports equipment when the power sports equipment is not in operation and is pivotally movable relative to the remainder of the power sports equipment between a substantially vertical condition for supporting the power sports equipment as aforesaid and a non-vertical condition for storage of the kickstand, and the system further includes a switch associated with the kickstand which is adapted to sense the existence of a substantially non-vertical condition of the kickstand and is connected to the wireless switching signal-sending means of the control unit for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch of the microphone-including arrangement when the kickstand is arranged in its substantially non-vertical condition.

16. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein there is carried by the power sports equipment both a two-way radio to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for transmission therefrom and public address (PA) equipment including a loudspeaker to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof;

the control unit includes a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio;

the manually-operable switch is a first switch and is connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the first switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the two-way radio for transmission therefrom;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the PA equipment; and

the system further includes a second manually-operable switch being mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment and connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the second switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the PA equipment for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof.

17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein each of the first and second manually-operable switches includes a switch button which is supported for movement between an extended condition and a depressed condition and which is spring-biased from the depressed condition toward the extended condition so that either of the first or second manually-operable switches is actuated upon movement of its switch button from the extended condition to the depressed condition.

18. In a communication system for use by a helmeted rider of power sports equipment having handlebars about which the hands of the rider are positioned during operation of the power sports equipment and wherein the communication system includes a microphone-including arrangement to be carried by the rider and a manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment for controlling operating characteristics of the communication system as the hands of the rider remain positioned about the handlebars of the power sports equipment, wherein there is associated with the power sports equipment at least one of a two-way radio or public address (PA) equipment to which voice-carrying signals are desired to be conducted for transmission or broadcast therefrom, and wherein the power sports equipment includes a kickstand for supporting the power sports equipment when the power sports equipment is not in operation and is pivotally movable relative to the remainder of the power sports equipment between a substantially vertical condition for supporting the power sports equipment as aforesaid and a non-vertical condition for storage of the kickstand, the improvement comprising:

a control unit mountable upon the power sports equipment and connectable to the manually-operable switch mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment;

the control unit and the microphone-including arrangement including means for wirelessly communicating with one another so that control of operating characteristics of the communication system can be had by way of the manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment without any need for wires connected between the microphone-including arrangement and the power sports equipment,

the means for wirelessly communicating including components which are carried by the microphone-including arrangement;

the components of said means for wirelessly communicating which are carried by the microphone-including arrangement are supported by the helmet of the rider;

the microphone-including arrangement including means for wirelessly transmitting the voice-carrying signals from the microphone-including arrangement; and

the control unit includes means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement, and the receiving means is connectable to one of the two-way radio or PA equipment for conductance thereto of the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiving means;

the manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars is cooperable with the control unit so that by actuating the manually-operable switch, the voice-carrying signals received by the receiving means are conducted to one of the two-way radio or PA equipment for transmission or broadcast therefrom;

the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio for receiving the voice-carrying signals received thereby from a remote source and includes means for wirelessly transmitting the received voice-carrying signals from the control unit; and

the microphone-including arrangement includes means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the control unit and at least one earphone through which the voice-carrying signals are emitted in the form of audible messages;

an electronic switch for enabling the signal-receiving capacity of the microphone-including arrangement from a disabled condition upon receipt of a wireless switching signal; and

the control unit includes means for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch of the microphone-including arrangement upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; and

a switch associated with the kickstand which is adapted to sense the existence of a substantially non-vertical condition of the kickstand and is connected to the wireless switching signal-sending means of the control unit for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch of the microphone-including arrangement when the kickstand is arranged in its substantially non-vertical condition.

19. A communication system for use by a helmeted rider of power sports equipment having handlebars about which the hands of the rider are positioned during operation of the power sports equipment and wherein there is carried by the power sports equipment both a two-way radio to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for transmission therefrom and public address (PA) equipment including a loudspeaker to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof, the system comprising:

a microphone-including arrangement supported by the helmet of the rider for emitting voice-carrying signals, the microphone-including arrangement being operable in a talk mode during which voice messages spoken by the rider are received by the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement and transmitted from the microphone in the form of voice-carrying signals and a non-talk mode;

a control unit mountable upon the power sports equipment;

including means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone; and

the control unit and the microphone-including arrangement including means for wirelessly communicating with one another wherein the means for wirelessly communicating is comprised of a first set of components which is associated with the microphone-including arrangement and a second set of components which is associated with the control unit;

the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating being adapted to receive voice messages which are spoken by the rider into the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement to wirelessly transmit the voice messages in the form of voice-carrying signals and the microphone-including arrangement being operable in a talk mode during which messages which are spoken by the rider into the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement are wirelessly transmitted by the first set of components from the microphone-including arrangement and a non-talk mode;

the second set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating including means for capturing the voice-carrying signals which are transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement during the talk mode of operation of the microphone-including arrangement;

a manually-operable switch being mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment and connected to the control unit so that the rider can switch the microphone-including arrangement between the talk and the non-talk modes by way of the control unit as the rider'"'"'s hands remain positioned about the handlebars of the power sports equipment; and

the entirety of the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating is supported by the helmet of the rider so that removal of the helmet from the rider removes the entirety of the first set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating from the person of the rider;

the microphone-including arrangement includes means for wirelessly transmitting, when in its talk mode, the voice-carrying signals from the microphone-including arrangement;

the control unit includes a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio;

the manually-operable switch is a first switch and is connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the first switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the two-way radio for transmission therefrom;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the PA equipment; and

the system further includes a second manually-operable switch being mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment and connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the second switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the PA equipment for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof.

20. A communication system for use by a helmeted rider of power sports equipment having handlebars about which the hands of the rider are positioned during operation of the power sports equipment and there is associated with the power sports equipment at least one of a two-way radio or public address (PA) equipment to which voice-carrying signals are desired to be conducted for transmission or broadcast therefrom and wherein the power sports equipment includes a kickstand for supporting the power sports equipment when the power sports equipment is not in operation and is pivotally movable relative to the remainder of the power sports equipment between a substantially vertical condition for supporting the power sports equipment as aforesaid and a non-vertical condition for storage of the kickstand, the system comprising:

a microphone-including arrangement supported by the helmet of the rider for emitting voice-carrying signals, the microphone-including arrangement being operable in a talk mode during which voice messages which are spoken by the rider are received by the microphone of the microphone-including arrangement and are transmitted from the microphone in the form of voice-carrying signals, and the microphone-including arrangement includes means for wirelessly transmitting the voice-carrying signals from the microphone-including arrangement; and

a control unit mountable upon the power sports equipment and including means for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement, and the receiving means of the control unit is connectable to one of the radio or PA equipment for conductance thereto of the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiving means of the control unit; and

a manually-operable switch mounted upon the handlebars and connected to the control unit so that by actuating the manually-operable switch, the voice-carrying signals received by the receiving means of the second set of components of the means for wirelessly communicating are conducted to one of the radio or PA equipment for transmission or broadcast therefrom;

the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio for receiving the voice-carrying signals received thereby and includes means for wirelessly transmitting the received voice-carrying signals;

the microphone-including arrangement including a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted from the control unit; and

the microphone-including arrangement further includes an electronic switch for enabling the receiver of the microphone-including arrangement from a disabled condition upon receipt of a wireless switching signal; and

the control means include means for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch of the microphone-including arrangement upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; and

the system further includes a switch associated with the kickstand which is adapted to sense the existence of a substantially non-vertical condition of the kickstand and is connected to the wireless switching signal-sending means of tire control unit for sending a wireless switching signal to the electronic switch of the microphone-including arrangement when the kickstand is arranged in its substantially non-vertical condition.

21. The system as defined in claim 20 wherein there is carried by the power sports equipment both a two-way radio to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for transmission therefrom and public address (PA) equipment including a loudspeaker to which voice-carrying signals transmitted from the microphone-including arrangement can be delivered for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof;

the microphone-including arrangement includes means for wirelessly transmitting, when in its talk mode, the voice-carrying signals from the microphone-including arrangement;

the control unit includes a receiver for receiving the voice-carrying signals transmitted wirelessly from the microphone-including arrangement;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the two-way radio;

the manually-operable switch is a first switch and is connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the first switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the two-way radio for transmission therefrom;

the receiver of the control unit is connectable to the PA equipment; and

the system further includes a second manually-operable switch being mountable upon the handlebars of the power sports equipment and connected to the control unit so that upon actuation of the second switch, the voice-carrying signals which are received by the receiver of the control unit are conducted to the PA equipment for broadcast from the loudspeaker thereof.

22. The system as defined in claim 21 wherein each of the first and second manually-operable switches includes a switch button which is supported for movement between an extended condition and a depressed condition and which is spring-biased from the depressed condition toward the extended condition so that either of the first or second manually-operable switches is actuated upon movement of its switch button from the extended condition to the depressed condition.