Wireless communication systems for masks or helmets

• US 7,221,966 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2003
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc. (Edge Autonomy SLO LLC)
• Original Assignee: Ultra Electronics Audiopack, Inc. (Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC)
• Inventors: Claypoole, Gary, Skillicorn, Greg, Birli, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh; Sonny
• Application Number:
  US10/700,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569.1, 455/575.2, 455/90.3, 455/90.1, 455/90.2, 455/41.2, 455/556.1, 455/550.1, 455/100, 455/350, 340/573.1, 340/521, 340/522
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets

Abstract

Various types of wireless communication systems for masks or helmets can be mounted externally or internally on a mask. Different types of microphones can be employed, for example, a bone-conducting microphone or a directional microphone. Ear speakers mounted at various locations on the mask or helmet can be employed. Wireless communication is with a transceiver mounted in or on a lapel unit, a walkie-talkie, or at a remote location.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system for use externally on a mask or helmet comprising:

a housing for connection with the mask or helmet to support said system on the mask or helmet;

a transceiver located at least partially in said housing, said transceiver designed to send signals, receive signals, or combinations thereof;

a microphone located at least partially in said housing, said microphone designed to pick up a voice of a wearer of the mask or helmet, the output of said microphone being at least partially directed to said transceiver;

an ear speaker at least partially located in said housing, said ear speaker designed to receive signals from said transceiver and to generate audible sound from signals received by said transceiver; and

a channel located at least partially in said housing, said channel designed to direct sound from said ear speaker at least partially along a side of the mask or helmet toward an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said transceiver and said microphone and said ear speaker are at least partially located in a main body portion of said housing, said microphone located at least closely adjacent to a mouth of the wearer of the mask or helmet, and said channel is formed in a tubular extension of said housing.

3. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein said tubular extension of said housing extends rearwardly and upwardly from said main body portion of said housing.

4. The system as defined in claim 3, wherein said tubular extension of said housing has a three-dimensionally curved configuration as it extends rearwardly and upwardly from said main body portion of said housing.

5. The system as defined in claim 3, wherein said tubular extension of said housing has a width in the range of from about one half inch to about two inches.

6. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein said transceiver is designed to send signals wirelessly to a location remote from the mask or helmet, received signals remote from the mask or helmet, or combinations thereof.

7. The system as defined in claim 6, wherein said signals received by said transceiver, sent by said transceiver, or combinations thereof include radio signals.

8. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein said ear speaker is electrically connected to said transceiver.

9. The system as defined in claim 8, including a voice amplifier connected to said transceiver.

10. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein said tubular extension of said housing has a width in the range of from about one half inch to about two inches.

11. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said transceiver is designed to send signals wirelessly to a location remote from the mask or helmet, received signals remote from the mask or helmet, or combinations thereof.

12. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said signals received by said transceiver, sent by said transceiver, or combinations thereof include radio signals.

13. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said ear speaker is electrically connected to said transceiver.

14. The system as defined in claim 1, including a voice amplifier connected to said transceiver.

15. The system as defined in claim 14, including a second speaker at least partially located in said housing, said voice amplifier including an amplifier that receives an output from said microphone, said second speaker designed to project sound externally of said housing and the mask or helmet, said second speaker spaced from said ear speaker.

16. The system as defined in claim 15, including a second speaker at least partially located in said housing, said voice amplifier including an amplifier that receives an output from said microphone, said second speaker designed to project sound externally of said housing and the mask or helmet, said second speaker spaced from said ear speaker.

17. A communication system for use with a mask or helmet comprising:

a housing designed to externally connect to the mask or helmet and to support said system on the mask or helmet;

a transceiver located at least partially in said housing, said transceiver designed to send signals, receive signals, or combinations thereof a microphone located at least partially in said housing, said microphone designed to pick up a voice of a wearer of the mask or helmet, the output of said microphone being at least partially directed to said transceiver, said microphone located at least closely adjacent to a mouth of the wearer of the mask or helmet;

an ear speaker at least partially located in said housing, said ear speaker designed to receive signals from said transceiver and to generate audible sound from signals received by said transceiver; and

an extension member that extends rearwardly and upwardly between said main body portion of said housing and a location at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet, said ear speaker at least partially located in said extension member such that said ear speaker is at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet, said ear speaker electrically connected to said transceiver by at least one wire, said extension member including a channel, said channel designed to enable said wire to extend between said ear speaker and said transceiver.

18. The system as defined in claim 17, wherein said transceiver and said microphone are at least partially located in a main body portion of said housing, said microphone located adjacent to a voice emitter portion, oxygen inlet or filter inlet of the mask.

19. The system as defined in claim 18, wherein said transceiver is designed to send signals wirelessly to a location remote from the mask or helmet, received signals remote from the mask or helmet, or combinations thereof.

20. The system as defined in claim 19, wherein said signals received by said transceiver, sent by said transceiver, or combinations thereof include radio signals.

21. The system as defined in claim 20, including a voice amplifier connected to said transceiver.

22. The system as defined in claim 21, including a second speaker at least partially located in said housing, said voice amplifier including an amplifier that receives an output from said microphone, said second speaker designed to project sound externally of said housing and the mask or helmet, said second speaker spaced from said ear speaker.

23. The system as defined in claim 22, wherein said extension member has a width of up to about two inches.

24. The system as defined in claim 17, wherein said transceiver is designed to send signals wirelessly to a location remote from the mask or helmet, received signals remote from the mask or helmet, or combinations thereof.

25. The system as defined in claim 17, wherein said signals received by said transceiver, sent by said transceiver, or combinations thereof include radio signals.

26. The system as defined in claim 17, including a voice amplifier connected to said transceiver.

27. The system as defined in claim 26, including a second speaker at least partially located in said housing, said voice amplifier including an amplifier that receives an output from said microphone, said second speaker designed to project sound externally of said housing and the mask or helmet, said second speaker spaced from said ear speaker.

28. The system as defined in claim 17, wherein said extension member has a width of up to about two inches.

29. A wireless communication system for use with a mask or helmet comprising:

a housing designed to externally connect to the mask or helmet and to support said system on the mask or helmet;

a housing transceiver located at least partially in said housing, said housing transceiver designed to wirelessly send signals, wirelessly receive signals, or combinations thereof;

a microphone located at least partially in said housing, said microphone designed to pick up a voice of a wearer of the mask or helmet, the output of said microphone being at least partially directed to said housing transceiver, said microphone located at least closely adjacent to a mouth of the wearer of the mask or helmet;

an ear speaker designed to receive signals from said housing transceiver and to generate audible sound from signals received by said housing transceiver;

at least one external transceiver located remotely from said housing and designed to be positioned on the wearer at a location remote from the mask or helmet, said external transceiver designed to wirelessly send signals to said housing transceiver, wirelessly receive signals from said housing transceiver, or combinations thereof, said external transceiver connected to a walkie-talkie, embedded into a walkie-talkie, connected to a lapel unit, embedded in a lapel unit, or combinations thereof.

30. The system as defined in claim 29, including first and second external transceivers located on the wearer, said first and second external transceivers designed to wirelessly send signals, wirelessly receive signals, or combinations thereof, between said first and second external transceivers.

31. The system as defined in claim 30, wherein said first external transceiver connected to the walkie-talkie or integrated into the walkie-talkie, said walkie-talkie designed to be positioned at least closely adjacent to a waist region of the wearer, said second external transceiver connected to a lapel unit or embedded in a lapel unit, said lapel unit designed to positioned on the wearer above said walkie-talkie.

32. The system as defined in claim 31, wherein said ear speaker designed to received wireless signals.

33. The system as defined in claim 32, wherein said housing includes an extension member that extends rearwardly and upwardly between said main body portion of said housing and a location at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet, said ear speaker at least partially located in said extension member such that said ear speaker is at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

34. The system as defined in claim 33, wherein said microphone is a directional microphone for picking up the voice of a wearer of the mask or helmet, said microphone having a sound inlet opening oriented toward the mouth of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

35. The system as defined in claim 31, wherein said housing includes an extension member that extends rearwardly and upwardly between said main body portion of said housing and a location at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet, said ear speaker at least partially located in said extension member such that said ear speaker is at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

36. The system as defined in claim 35, wherein said ear speaker is electrically connected to said transceiver by at least one wire.

37. The system as defined in claim 36, wherein said extension member including a channel, said channel designed to enable said wire to extend between said ear speaker and said transceiver.

38. The system as defined in claim 37, wherein said microphone is a directional microphone for picking up the voice of a wearer of the mask or helmet, said microphone having a sound inlet opening oriented toward the mouth of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

39. The system as defined in claim 30, wherein said ear speaker designed to received wireless signals.

40. The system as defined in claim 30, wherein said housing includes an extension member that extends rearwardly and upwardly between said main body portion of said housing and a location at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet, said ear speaker at least partially located in said extension member such that said ear speaker is at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

41. The system as defined in claim 40, wherein said ear speaker is electrically connected to said transceiver by at least one wire.

42. The system as defined in claim 41, wherein said extension member including a channel, said channel designed to enable said wire to extend between said ear speaker and said transceiver.

43. The system as defined in claim 42, wherein said microphone is a directional microphone for picking up the voice of a wearer of the mask or helmet, said microphone having a sound inlet opening oriented toward the mouth of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

44. The system as defined in claim 30, wherein said ear speaker is electrically connected to said transceiver by at least one wire.

45. The system as defined in claim 29, wherein said ear speaker designed to received wireless signals.

46. The system as defined in claim 29, wherein said housing includes an extension member that extends rearwardly and upwardly between said main body portion of said housing and a location at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet, said ear speaker at least partially located in said extension member such that said ear speaker is at least closely adjacent to an ear of the wearer of the mask or helmet.

47. The system as defined in claim 29, wherein said ear speaker is electrically connected to said transceiver by at least one wire.

48. The system as defined in claim 29, wherein said transceiver and said microphone are at least partially located in a main body portion of said housing, said microphone located adjacent to a voice emitter portion, oxygen inlet or filter inlet of the mask.

49. The system as defined in claim 29, wherein said transceiver is designed to send signals wirelessly to a location remote from the mask or helmet, received signals remote from the mask or helmet, or combinations thereof.

50. The system as defined in claim 29, wherein said signals received by said transceiver, sent by said transceiver, or combinations thereof include radio signals.

51. The system as defined in claim 29, including a voice amplifier connected to said transceiver.

52. The system as defined in claim 29, including a second speaker at least partially located in said housing, said voice amplifier including an amplifier that receives an output from said microphone, said second speaker designed to project sound externally of said housing and the mask or helmet, said second speaker spaced from said ear speaker.