US5566362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wireless voice transmission system
Assignee: Undersea Sensor Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1994-05-03
•
Granted: 1996-10-15
•
Expires: 2014-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A voice transmission system for a protective face mask is provided, comprising a voice transmitter attached to an external portion of the face mask, a radio receiver, and a two-way radio. The voice transmitter is attached to an external portion of the face mask and transmits the voice of a user of the face mask via a short range radio signal. The radio receiver receives the short range radio signal output by the voice transmitter, processes the short range radio signal, and outputs an audio output signal. The two-way radio (i) receives the audio output signal from the radio receiver, amplifies the audio output signal, and transmits the amplified audio output signal to a remotely located receiver, in a transmitting mode, and (ii) receives a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter in a receiving mode. A voice actuated switch switches the two way radio between receiving and transmitting modes. The transmitter transmits the short range radio signal in the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range, and the receiver downconverts the short range radio signal from the UHF radio range to the audio frequency range.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Bauer
- 👤 Joseph A. Birli
- 👤 Jack J. Becker
- 👤 Greg L. Skillicorn
- 👤 Jose L. Ramos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3827; H04B1/385; H04B2001/3866
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A voice transmission system for a protective face mask provided with a voice diaphragm, comprising: a voice transmitter module for transmitting the voice of a user of the face mask via a short range radio signal, said voice transmitter module at least partially enclosing a microphone and removably attachable to an external portion of the face mask opposite the voice diaphragm such that said microphone is fixedly positioned proximate the user's mouth; a first radio receiver remotely located from said voice transmitter module for receiving said short range radio signal output by said voice transmitter module, processing said short range radio signal, and outputting an audio output signal; and a transceiver for (i) receiving said audio output signal from said first radio receiver, amplifying said audio output signal, and transmitting said amplified audio output signal to a remotely located second receiver, in a transmitting mode, and for (ii) receiving a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter, in a receiving mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A voice transmission system for a protective face mask provided with a voice diaphragm, comprising: a voice transmitter module for transmitting the voice of a user of the face mask via a short range radio signal, said voice transmitter module at least partially enclosing a microphone and removably attachable to an external portion of the face mask opposite the voice diaphragm such that said microphone is fixedly positioned proximate the user's mouth; a first radio receiver remotely located from said voice transmitter module for receiving said short range radio signal output by said voice transmitter module, processing said short range radio signal, and outputting an audio output signal; and a transceiver for (i) receiving said audio output signal from said first radio receiver, amplifying said audio output signal, and transmitting said amplified audio output signal to a remotely located second receiver, in a transmitting mode, and for (ii) receiving a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter, in a receiving mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The voice transmission system of claim 1, further comprising a switch for switching the transceiver between receiving and transmitting modes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The voice transmission system of claim 2, wherein said switch is voice actuated, switching the transceiver into transmitting mode when detecting the user's voice and switching the transceiver into receiving mode when not detecting the user's voice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The voice transmission system of claim 2, further comprising a magnetically actuatable reed switch contained within the voice transmitter module and a magnet mounted to the outside of the module and slidable with respect to said reed switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The voice transmission system of claim 2, wherein said transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The voice transmission system of claim 5, wherein said voice transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the 1.0-2.4 gigahertz range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The voice transmission system of claim 5, wherein said first receiver downconverts said short range radio signal from the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range to the audio frequency range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The voice transmission system of claim 1, further providing local voice amplification in the form of a speaker driven by said first radio receiver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
A communications system, comprising: a protective face mask sealable against the face of a user and provided with a voice diaphragm; a voice transmitter module for transmitting the voice of a user of said face mask via a short range radio signal, said voice transmitter module at least partially enclosing a microphone and removably attachable to an external portion of the face mask opposite the voice diaphragm such that said microphone is fixedly positioned proximate the user's mouth; a first radio receiver remotely located from said voice transmitter module for receiving said short range radio signal output by said voice transmitter module, processing said short range radio signal, and outputting an audio output signal; and a transceiver for (i) receiving said audio output signal from said first radio receiver, amplifying said audio output signal, and transmitting said amplified audio output signal to a remotely located second receiver, in a transmitting mode, and for (ii) receiving a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter, in a receiving mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
167 words
A communications system, comprising: a protective face mask sealable against the face of a user and provided with a voice diaphragm; a voice transmitter module for transmitting the voice of a user of said face mask via a short range radio signal, said voice transmitter module at least partially enclosing a microphone and removably attachable to an external portion of the face mask opposite the voice diaphragm such that said microphone is fixedly positioned proximate the user's mouth; a first radio receiver remotely located from said voice transmitter module for receiving said short range radio signal output by said voice transmitter module, processing said short range radio signal, and outputting an audio output signal; and a transceiver for (i) receiving said audio output signal from said first radio receiver, amplifying said audio output signal, and transmitting said amplified audio output signal to a remotely located second receiver, in a transmitting mode, and for (ii) receiving a broadcast signal from a remotely located transmitter, in a receiving mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communications system of claim 9, further comprising a switch for switching the transceiver between receiving and transmitting modes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communications system of claim 10, wherein said switch is voice actuated, switching the transceiver into transmitting mode when detecting the user's voice and switching the transceiver into receiving mode when not detecting the user's voice.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The communications system of claim 10, further comprising a magnetically actuatable reed switch contained within the voice transmitter module and a magnet mounted to the outside of the module and slidable with respect to said reed switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communications system of claim 10, wherein said transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The communications system of claim 13, wherein said voice transmitter module transmits said short range radio signal in the 1.0-2.4 gigahertz range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communications system of claim 13, wherein said first receiver downconverts said short range radio signal from the ultra high frequency (UHF) radio range to the audio frequency range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The communications system of claim 9, further providing local voice amplification in the form of a speaker driven by said first radio receiver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3559209A
Cited
US3916312A
Cited
US3845389A
Cited
US3889190A
Cited
US4119800A
Cited
US4334315A
Cited
US4392243A
Cited
US4491699A
Cited
JPS5852122A
Cited
US4885796A
Cited
US4980926A
Cited
US5060308A
Cited
US5101504A
Cited
US5404577A
Cited
US5142700A
Cited
US5224473A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |