Patent Application
20250240552
Communications devices play a critical role in ensuring effective and efficient communication between individuals conducting various tasks, including emergency responders (e.g., firefighters). For example, emergency responders will often utilize communications devices for real-time communication and coordination among team members, enabling them to share vital information, coordinate their actions, and make informed decisions in the field. In many such emergency situations, clear and reliable communication is paramount for the safety and success of many emergency response operations.
Systems and methods are provided for electronics devices, such as communication devices, that may utilize a first communication device (such as a land mobile radio (LMR)) having a first battery (such as an “LMR battery”) in communication with a second communication device (such as a remote speaker microphone (RSM)) that has its own battery (such as an “RSM battery”). For instance, an RSM may be optionally powered using either an LMR battery or an RSM battery, which may provide the system numerous advantages. For instance, the RSM may be designed to communicate to the LMR either wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth connection) or through a wired connection, and the user or the system may controllably switch between these two power sources and communication modes, as desirable. This arrangement can permit the RSM battery to power the RSM when in wireless mode, but may permit the RSM to rely on either the RSM battery or the LMR battery when in wired mode. That way, if the RSM battery “runs out” of energy, the LMR battery may be relied on to ensure the continued operation of both the RSM and the LMR. Similarly, if the RSM is relying on the LMR battery for power, but becomes disconnected from the LMR, the RSM can switch to relying on the RSM battery for power, and thereby continue to function.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable communication system. The portable communication system may include a land mobile radio (LMR) having an LMR battery as well as a remote speaker microphone (RSM) having an RSM battery. The RSM may be configured to receive audio signals from a user and provide the audio signals to the LMR. The RSM may be configured to selectively receive electrical energy from either the RSM battery or the LMR battery.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a remote speaker microphone (RSM) for use in a portable communication system. The RSM may include a microphone configured to receive audio signals from a user and a communications unit configured to provide the audio signals to a land mobile radio (LMR), wherein the RSM may be configured to provide the audio signals both wirelessly and using a wired connection. Additionally, the RSM may include an RSM battery in electrical communication with the communications unit.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable communication system. The communication system may include a first communication device having a radio transceiver and a first battery and a second communication device having a second battery. The second communication device may be configured to receive audio signals from a user, and provide the audio signals to the first communication device. The second communication device may be configured to selectively receive electrical energy from the first battery or the second battery.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable communication system. The communication system may include a land mobile radio (LMR) having an LMR battery and a remote speaker microphone (RSM) having an RSM battery. The RSM may be configured to selectively receive electrical energy from either the RSM battery or the LMR battery when the RSM and the LMR are in electrical communication via a wire connection, and to receive electrical energy from the RSM battery when the RSM and the LMR are not in electrical communication via the wire connection.
The current subject matter will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in combination with the accompanying drawings which form part of the present specification.
Often times, communication devices will be used to provide a lifeline for emergency responders operating in hazardous environments. For instance, these devices, which are often handheld or attached to the emergency responder's equipment or clothing, may allow a user to stay connected with an incident command center, providing essential updates on their location, progress, and potential dangers they encounter. This two-way communication between the command center and individual responders ensures that commanders can closely monitor the situation, provide guidance, and deploy necessary resources promptly. Additionally, in the event of distress or injury, personal communications devices allow emergency responders to call for help, enhancing their personal safety.
Common communication devices used by emergency responders include land mobile radio (LMR) systems. LMRs function by converting voice or data into radio frequency signals, transmitting these signals via radio waves, and receiving and demodulating these signals by other radios within the communication range. The technology allows for reliable, real-time communication essential for public safety and emergency response operations. Because LMRs are often carried by or attached to an emergency responder, the battery systems which power the LMRs are critically important to ensuring continued operability of the device during an emergency situation. Battery-powered LMRs provide the necessary portability and mobility, allowing responders to carry and use their radios without being tethered to a fixed power source. Emergency responses can be prolonged, requiring first responders to be in the field for extended periods of time, and a battery of an LMR preferably enables it to operate continuously without the need for frequent recharging, thereby ensuring that responders stay connected throughout the duration of their missions.
Land mobile radio (LMR) systems provide person-to-person voice communication via two-way radio transceivers (an audio transmitter and receiver in one unit) which can be stationary (e.g., control station units), mobile (e.g., installed in a vehicle dashboard), or portable (e.g., handheld transceivers). The present disclosure recognizes that such portable arrangements often include both an LMR unit and a remote speaker microphone (RSM) that is connected to the LMR unit. While many control station units rely exclusively on the remote speaker microphone to capture audio signals from a user, portable arrangements may capture (e.g., through a microphone) and produce (e.g., through a speaker) audio signals from both the LMR and the RSM. The RSM may operate by first providing the audio signals it receives to the LMR, and then relying on the components of the LMR (e.g., communications unit, antenna, etc.) to further transmit these signals to other LMR systems operating within range. The RSM is typically incapable of operating once disconnected from the LMR, since the RSM relies on the LMR for electrical power.
Unfortunately, among other disadvantages, the present disclosure recognizes that traditional LMR systems struggle to operate effectively in various emergency situations. For instance, the wire connection between the LMR and the RSM may snag on an object as a user is navigating an emergency site and therefore become unplugged or permanently severed. Once unplugged or severed, the user may no longer be able communicate through the RSM, and therefore may lose precious time trying to reconfigure the LMR system and communicate with other users at the emergency site. The present disclosure also recognizes that simply modifying the LMR system to operate wirelessly comes with its own drawbacks, including potential connection issues, and the introduction of yet another battery to be maintained, and that could potentially fail in the field.
In order to address these deficiencies, the present disclosure provides, in part, systems and methods that utilize a first communication device (e.g., RSM) that controllably relies on either the battery of another communication device (e.g., LMR) or a battery within the first communication device itself to function. By providing numerous sources of power that, for example, the RSM can draw from, the communication system described herein may effectively operate either wirelessly or through a wired connection, thereby providing a user multiple communication modes to choose from. This arrangement provides numerous advantages in the field. For instance, if the connection wire between the RSM and the LMR is damaged, the system may automatically switch to operating in a wireless mode and relying on the RSM battery to power the RSM. Likewise, if the RSM battery is being used to power the RSM but has a low state of charge, the system or the user may switch to relying on the LMR battery for power. In some aspects, the reverse technique may also be applied if the LMR battery is low on energy. In this manner, the communication systems described herein may advantageously provide flexibility and versatility to a user (e.g., an emergency responder in the field), helping to ensure that the user may continue to effectively communicate, even during emergency situations that extend for an appreciable period of time.
Although the example systems and methods discussed herein primarily relate to land mobile radio systems, a skilled artisan should readily appreciate that the techniques described herein can be applied to other electronic communication devices that may benefit from two or more battery powered communication devices operating in close proximity.
While the LMR 150 may be generally configured to provide the audio signals to other communication systems, including those captured by the RSM 110, the RSM 110 may include its own transmission capabilities. For instance, in some aspects, the RSM 110 may be configured to communicate with other similar RSMs operating in close proximity, without relying on the LMR 150. In such aspects, the LMR 150 may serve to establish communication with other systems or devices positioned at a greater distance away from the communication system 100. In this manner, the RSM 110 and LMR 150 may provide different communication capabilities to a user of the communication system 100.
As will be further described, the RSM 110 and LMR 150 may be configured to operate in either a wired mode (i.e., with the connection wire 130 connecting the two devices) or in a wireless mode (e.g., through Bluetooth transmission). In order to effectively achieve these dual operating modes, the RSM 110 may include its own battery, and may further be configured to receive electrical energy from the LMR 150 for power. The electrical energy may be transferred through the connection wire 130 to the RSM (or vice versa) at the same time that information signals (e.g., audio signals) are transferred through the connection wire 130.
As previously described, the RSM 610 may rely on the LMR battery 652 for power in some operating modes. The communication system may include switching circuitry (not depicted) configured to control when the LMR battery 652 is transferring electrical energy to the RSM 610. The switching circuitry may be specifically located within the RSM 610. For instance, the switching circuitry may be at least partially located within the RSM controller 622, or alternatively in close proximity to, and in electrical connection with, the RSM battery 612. Although any suitable switching circuitry may be utilized, the switching circuitry may specifically include eFuses or electronics fuses (hot swap controller), or a similar component. Relatedly, and optionally as a part of the switching circuitry, the RSM 610, the LMR 650, or both devices may include a manual user switch, such as a button switch, on an exterior surface. In this manner, a user may be able to manually control whether the RSM 610 is receiving electrical energy from the RSM battery 612 or from the LMR battery 652.
The RSM communications unit 616 may be in communication with the LMR communications unit 656 through the connection wire 630, which may couple to an RSM connection port 614 and an LMR connection port 654. As described, the RSM communications unit 616 and the LMR communications unit 656 may include different components, and therefore function with different ranges and abilities. For example, the LMR communications unit 656 may include an extended antenna, which may serve to expand the communication range of the LMR 650. Both the RSM communications unit 616 and the LMR communications unit 656 may include a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit radio-frequency communication signals and a receiver configured to receive radio-frequency communication signals. For instance, each device may include a transceiver capable of both transmitting audio signals from the microphones 620, 660 as well as producing sound from received audio signals using the speakers 618, 658. Additionally, the communications units 616, 656 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with each other, such as using a Bluetooth or similar connection, in order to permit the communication system to operate in a wireless mode. Beyond communicating wirelessly with the LMR communications unit 656, the RSM communications unit 616 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with other RSMs that have similar communication capabilities. In this manner, a user may communicate with another operator using solely the RSM communications unit 656, and without relying on the LMR communications unit 656. This RSM-to-RSM communication capability may provide various advantages, such as providing users a second communication capability and thereby improving safety redundancies. Furthermore, the RSM-to- RSM communication may be used to provide alternative information beyond voice communication to other operators nearby.
The LMR controller 662 as well as the RSM controller 622 may function to control various operations of the LMR 650 and RSM 610 respectively, including which operating mode the two devices are currently using for communication as well as power. For example, the RSM 610 may be configured to automatically switch to receiving electrical energy from the RSM battery 656 (i.e., switch into wireless mode) when the wire connection 630 is determined to no longer provide an electrical communication between the LMR 650 and the RSM 610 (i.e., when the devices become disconnected from each other). This determination may be made by the LMR processor 666, the RSM processor 626, or both processors, using signal information. In such a situation, the communications units 616, 656 may also switch from communicating via the connection wire 130 to communicating wirelessly. As another example, the RSM 610 may be configured to automatically switch to being powered by the LMR battery 652 when the RSM battery 612 is below a predetermined level (e.g., below 1% of its operating range). This determination may be made by the LMR processor 666, the RSM processor 626, or both processors, and may be made from various battery data, such as from a voltage sensor or battery fuel gauge connected to the RSM battery 612. These controlled switches may be made using the aforementioned switching circuitry. It should be readily appreciated that there are numerous additional situations where it may be advantageous to controllably switch between the various power and communication modes described herein.
The RSM described herein may be configured to universally function with any suitable LMR system. Because different LMR systems may be designed to provide different output voltages to the RSM via the connection wire, the RSM may include components configured to modify (e.g., controllably reduce) the voltage of the electrical energy received from the LMR. In this manner, the RSM may efficiently operate using either its internal battery or from power received from the LMR.
As far as durability, which may be particularly useful for emergency responder applications, the devices described herein may be formed of materials that have heat-resistant properties, and may specifically be configured to substantially maintain their intended geometries and functionality up to at least 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The electronic devices described herein may be specifically configured to pass various temperature, pressure, and mechanical tests. Emergency responder communication devices in particular are often subjected to high temperatures and extensive water exposure. Accordingly, the electronics devices described herein may be constructed using particular materials and design techniques to remain functional in extreme conditions. The electronics devices may be configured satisfy the heat and immersion requirements outlined in the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1802, Section 8.3.
While the disclosure has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
