Patent Application
20070049360
This invention relates to enabling communication via cell phone when a user is wearing a personal protection device (“PPD”), such as a mask, a helmet, or hearing protection earmuffs.
Some persons, such as firefighters or airport or military personnel, have a need to use a PPD when working. It is desirable to be able to communicate electronically with the user in such a circumstance. The PPD can, however, inhibit or block sound communication.
It is known to provide, for earmuffs or a helmet, a speaker and microphone and a hard-wired connection to an intercom system.
In one aspect the invention relates to apparatus comprising a personal protection device, a microphone and speaker on the device, a cell phone, and a cable for electrically connecting the microphone and the speaker with the cell phone. In another aspect the invention relates to apparatus comprising a personal protection device, a microphone and speaker on the device, and a cable for electrically connecting the microphone and the speaker with the cell phone. In still another aspect, the invention relates to a cable for electrically connecting the microphone and the speaker that are on a personal protection device, with a cell phone.
Further features of the invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains, from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:
This invention relates to a personal protection device (“PPD”), such as a mask, a helmet, or hearing protection earmuffs, and to a method and apparatus for enabling communication via cell phone when a user is wearing a PPD. As representative of the invention,
The apparatus includes a mask shown schematically at 14. The mask 14 could be any type of personal protection device that at least partially covers the user's mouth so as to make it not feasible to communicate in a normal manner via cell phone. The invention is applicable to masks of varying types and constructions. The particular mask 14 that is illustrated is made from rubber or another material suitable to prevent the person wearing it from inhaling air that is not filtered.
The invention is applicable to other types of personal protection devices, including but not limited to a helmet or an ear protection device (earmuff). As but one example,
The mask 14 (
The second filter port 20 (i.e., the one not being used for a filter 22) may be used for communication. When the second filter port 20 is used for communication, a voice emitter (not shown) is located in the filter port. A communication device may be supported on the filter port 20 of the mask 14, to allow the user of the mask to transmit sound electronically away from the mask, and to hear other people who are transmitting sounds to the user.
The particular communication device 12 that is shown in
The apparatus 10 includes an attachment mechanism 38 for attaching the communication device 12 to the mask. The attachment mechanism 38 could be some kind of mounting bracket, for example, as shown in commonly owned co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/044,129, filed Jan. 27, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference; or could be of another type, many of which are known in the art. The particular attachment mechanism 38 that is shown may depend on the particular microphone 36 and speaker 22 to be attached to the mask 14.
On the attachment mechanism 38 for the communication device 12, or on the communication device itself, is an electrical connector 40 that forms part of the apparatus 10. The connector 40 is electrically connected with the microphone 36 and the speaker 32, to enable transmission of an outgoing voice signal from the microphone to a location off the mask 14, and to enable transmission of an incoming voice signal from a location outside the mask to the ear speaker.
The apparatus 10 also includes a cable 42. The cable 42 is suitable for carrying a cell phone conversation/signal, in either full duplex mode or half duplex mode.
At its first end the cable 42 includes a connector 44 that is engageable with the mask-mounted connector 40. At its second end, the cable 42 has a connector 46 for electrical connection with a cell phone 50, to enable half duplex or full duplex transmission of signals between the cable and the cell phone.
The cell phone 50 may be considered to be part of the apparatus 10, or may be considered to be separate from but usable with the apparatus 10. The cell phone 50 has a port or connector 52 for electrical connection with an external speaker and microphone.
The apparatus 10 may optionally include a push to talk switch or button, as shown at 54, if a half-duplex communication setup is used. The PTT button 54 may be located on the mask 14 or on the mask communication device 12.
In operation of the apparatus 10, the connector 44 on the first end of the cable 42 is plugged into the mask-mounted connector 40. The connector 46 on the other end of the cable 42 is plugged into the connector 52 on the cell phone 50.
If the apparatus 10 is configured for operation in full duplex mode, no PTT switch is used. When the user speaks, the user's voice is picked up by the microphone 36 and an outgoing voice signal is sent over the cable 42 to the cell phone 50. The user's voice can thus be transmitted over the cell phone 50.
When an incoming voice signal is received by the cell phone 50, that signal is sent through the cable 42 to the mask 14, and specifically, to the communication device 12. The signal is sent to the speaker portion 32 of the communication device 12, and as a result the user can hear the incoming voice signal from the cell phone 50.
Thus, the user of the mask 14 is able to communicate over the cell phone 50, in a relatively normal manner, even though the user is wearing a mask.
If the apparatus 10 is configured for operation in half duplex mode, the PTT switch 54 is pressed when the user speaks, so that the user's voice is sent over the cable 42 to the cell phone 50. The user's voice can thus be transmitted over the cell phone 50. When an incoming voice signal is received by the cell phone 50, that signal is sent through the cable 42 to the ear speaker 32 whenever the PTT switch 54 is not activated.
The hearing protector 60 includes a microphone 64 and two speakers 62. The apparatus 10a includes a cable 42a that has a connector 44a that plugs into a connector 40a on the hearing protector 60. The cable 42a has at its opposite end a connector 46a that plugs into a connector on a cell phone 50a. In this manner, the microphone 64 and the speakers 62 act as external microphone and speakers for the cell phone 50a.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications in the invention. Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
