Abstract:
A communications system for a vehicle user is provided. The system comprises a portable receiver which the vehicle user can easily carry on his or her person. The portable receiver is capable of receiving coded transmissions from a vehicle-mounted transmitter which is capable of activating a function in a portable transceiver.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/841,744, filed Sep. 1, 2006, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to mobile radio systems.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Law enforcement motorcycle officers often employ communications systems designed for their needs. In the spectrum of motor vehicle passenger safety, motorcycles are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. This danger only increases when a motorcycle rider takes his/her hands off of the handlebars to use a communications device. When you apply this to the job of a law enforcement motorcycle officer, the risk of injury only increases because officers are constantly using communication devices while riding. Enabling riders to keep their hands on the handlebars while riding is an important safety requirement. Moreover, many jurisdictions require by law that motorcyclists keep both hands on the handlebars.  
         [0004]     Law enforcement motorcycles have a number of different radio configurations which can include a combination of portable radios and mobile radios. A large number of departments only ride with portable radios. The portable two-way radio is typically worn on the officer&#39;s belt and is typically low power with its transceiver having between 3 and 5 watts of power. Portable radios work well in situations where the patrol area is limited, the geographical features of the area are fairly flat, and a good repeater network is installed.  
         [0005]     In addition, often a public address (PA) system is installed on the motorcycle. Through a loudspeaker, this system is used to audibly broadcast instructions or information to violators or the general public in a limited area.  
         [0006]     Since 1970, there have been a number of offerings in the marketplace to allow motorcycle officers the ability to operate their portable radios without having to take their hands off the handlebars.  
         [0007]     These offerings typically include additional equipment on a motorcycle, such as a radio push-to-talk (PTT) button mounted on the handlebar. Pressing the PTT keys the radio and allows the officer to transmit communication. For the PA system, an additional button is also mounted on the handlebar which, when pressed, broadcasts the officer&#39;s speech over the PA system.  
         [0008]     On the officer, these offerings typically include a boom microphone and speakers that are mounted on/in the helmet.  
         [0009]     In between the motorcycle and officer, historically, a wire with a quick release connector has been used to connect the officer-worn equipment to bike-mounted equipment. This wire carries an electrical signal from the handlebar to the portable radio signaling that the radio should transmit.  
         [0010]     Others have invented wireless interfaces between communication devices and riders, but the systems of our invention are advantageous because they may include some or all of the following features: (a) operate solely off of the motorcycle battery and the portable radio battery. No additional batteries are required. (b) Do not require a rider to pair or sync his on-person equipment with the equipment on the motorcycle. (c) Have no locking connectors which greatly increases rider safety. (d) Have sidetone audio which increases the ease of communication for the rider. (e) Have automatic gain control which allows the operator to control volume peaks. (f) Are easy to install.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     This invention relates to a radio accessory system, specifically to a system that is on a vehicle and worn on a person and interfaces radios, speakers, and microphones. The interface between the part of the system that is on the vehicle and the other part that is worn on a person is wireless. The intent of the invention is to reduce the distraction of operating communications devices while operating a vehicle thus increasing the safety of a vehicle&#39;s users while also enabling the use of communication devices. 
     
    
     FIGURES  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a representation of an operator on a vehicle using the system.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a representation of an operator off and away from the vehicle using the system.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a representation of the system without it being on a vehicle and the operator.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a system schematic of the transmitting unit assembly.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a system schematic of the receiving unit assembly.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of the receiver PCB board layout.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of the transmitter PCB board layout. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to specific solvents, materials, or device structures, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.  
         [0020]     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an active ingredient” includes a plurality of active ingredients as well as a single active ingredient, reference to “a temperature” includes a plurality of temperatures as well as single temperature, and the like.  
         [0021]     In the claims of this application, “portable” is intended to have its ordinary meaning of capable of being carried readily.  
         [0022]     In the following a preferred embodiment of the invention is described. Numerous variations on this embodiment will naturally occur to a person of skill in the art.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a radio system comprised of the equipment permanently affixed to the vehicle  20  (transmitting unit assembly  25 ) and removable equipment worn and controlled by the operator  30  (receiving unit assembly  35 ). The transmitting unit  25  is actuated by a push-to-talk (PTT) switch  40  on a steering bar  45 . The receiving unit assembly  35  interfaces to a commercial portable radio transceiver  50  and a helmet communications kit  55 .  
         [0024]     The system allows an operator  30  to wirelessly actuate the transmit function of a commercial portable radio transceiver  50  while operating a motor vehicle  20 , typically a motorcycle, snowmobile, personal watercraft, etc.  
         [0025]     The transmitting unit assembly  25  is typically mounted to the vehicle steering bar  45  and has a mounted PTT switch  40  within convenient reach of the vehicle operator  30 . The transmitting unit  60  receives power from the vehicle  20  (typically 12 volts DC) and can be on constantly on, i.e. directly attached to the vehicle battery  65 , or wired through the ignition system so when the vehicle  20  is turned off, the power to the transmitter unit  60  is interrupted. When the PTT switch is pressed, a coded signal is transmitted from the radio frequency transmitter module  62  through the transmitter unit antenna  64 .  
         [0026]     The receiving unit circuitry is contained within the speaker-microphone  70  housing or other enclosure and obtains power to operate directly from the portable radio battery  75 . When the receiving unit assembly  35  receives the wirelessly transmitted PTT command prompted by pressing the vehicle-mounted PTT switch  40 , it invokes the transmit function of the portable radio  50  at which point the operator  30  can send voice transmissions via the portable radio  50  though a microphone element directly to a distant radio operator with whom the vehicle operator  30  is communicating. The vehicle operator  30  also has the option to press the PTT switch  80  mounted on the speaker-microphone  70  to invoke the transmit function of the portable radio  50 . This allows the operator  30  to control the PTT function for the portable radio  50  when he is not within reach of the PTT switch  40  mounted on the vehicle steering bar  45 . There also can be a PTT switch  82  on the portable radio adapter  84 .  
         [0027]     The speaker-microphone  70  that contains the wireless receiving unit circuitry also contains an internal microphone  85  and speaker  90  to respectively send and receive voice transmissions to and from a distant radio operator via the portable radio  50 . The speaker-microphone  70  also has a multi-conductor jack  95  to directly connect an optional helmet  100  that is equipped with a boom microphone fitted  105  to the helmet  100 , and self contained speaker(s)  110  so voice communications are possible while wearing the helmet  100 . The boom microphone  105  and speaker(s)  110  are commonly referred to as a helmet communications kit  55 .  
         [0028]     Auto switching helmet kit detection circuitry  115  is employed within the speaker-microphone  70  to sense the connection of helmet communications kit  55  switching off the internal microphone  85  and speaker  90  within the speaker-microphone  70 . This is done because field tests of the system show that operators desire the speaker-microphone&#39;s  70  internal microphone  85  and speaker  90  to be muted when the helmet communications kit  55  is connected.  
         [0029]     The PTT command signal that is transmitted and received for the wireless PTT function is selectable from one of up to 59,049 binary code words that are configured within each transmitting assembly  25  and receiving assembly  35  pair. Each transmitting unit  25  and receiving unit  35  must be set to the same code in order for linked PTT operation to be established. The operator  30  can manually set each code within each unit  25 ,  35  via switches  120 ,  125 .  
         [0030]     When the helmet communications kit  55  is connected to the speaker-microphone  70  and the operator  30  presses the PTT switch  40  on the steering bar  45  of the vehicle  20  or the PTT switch  80  on the speaker-microphone  70 , the operator  30  will hear his own voice in the helmet communications kit speakers  110 . This feature is referred to as sidetone and it provides enhanced aural feedback for the operator. Hearing one&#39;s own voice when speaking is often necessary for clear communications in high noise situations. This sidetone feature only functions when the helmet communications kit  55  is connected to the speaker-microphone  70 . It is controlled by the sidetone circuitry  127 .  
         [0031]     An automatic gain control circuit  130  is employed in the speaker path to the headset speakers  110 , to dynamically adjust the audio level to the speakers  110  within the helmet  100  to prevent sudden and uncomfortable audio peaks.  
         [0032]     The speaker-microphone  70  has three optional audio interfaces. First, the operator  30  can plug in an ear bud speaker  135  to the ear bud speaker port  140  and privately monitor incoming radio transmissions. When inserted into the ear bud speaker port  140  in the speaker-microphone  70 , the ear bud speaker  135  would mute the speaker-microphone&#39;s speaker  90 . Second, the operator  30  can plug into the personal entertainment device port  145  a device  150  such as a CD player or transistor radio that is summed with incoming radio transmissions. Third, the operator  30  can plug into the cellular telephone port  155  a cellular telephone  160  that is summed with incoming radio transmissions, and outbound cellular telephone conversation can be accomplished through the headset microphone  105 .  
         [0033]     Exemplary frequencies for operation of this system include, for example, the 902 to 928 MHz frequency range, the 2.4 GHz frequency band (as used, for example, by the Bluetooth communications standards), and the 5.8 GHz frequency band. In addition, near field magnetic induction may be used as an alternative way of communicating information in the invention.  
         [0034]     Advanced circuit board design and layout techniques may be employed on both the transmitting unit assembly  25  and receiving unit assembly  35  to minimize high energy electromagnetic interference (EMI) influences from nearby radio frequency transmitters. The attached commercial portable radio transceiver  50  connected to the receiving unit assembly  35  is the nearest source of high energy radio frequency and often has a rated radio frequency (RF) output power level of 5 watts or more. High gain antennas are often available for commercial portable radio transceivers as an option that can increase the effective radiated power beyond 5 watts. This effective gain in power can cause significant degradation in performance of the receiving unit assembly  35  unless appropriate design techniques are used.  
         [0035]     It may be preferred that the transmitting unit assembly  25  and receiving unit assembly  35  be enclosed in a waterproof or water-resistant enclosure on account of the possibility of rain. Preferably the enclosure is one which is compliant with the International Electrotechnical Commission 60529 IPX7 standard. That standard specifies that a unit shall not have significant water incursion if it is taken to a depth of 1 meter and held there for 30 minutes or less.  
         [0036]     It may also be preferred that circuit boards in the system be conformally coated with silicone in order to provide protection from water. This protection may be in lieu of or in addition to a waterproof or water-resistant enclosure.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates the main component layout of the receiver PCB board  165 . For the receiver PCB board  165 , specialized microwave circuit board layout techniques were employed using a controlled impedance transmission line  170  for the RF circuitry. As a matter of good design practice, multilayer ceramic bypass capacitors that are more effective for high frequencies are placed throughout the receiver board  165 . In addition, LC EMI filters  175  were used throughout the receiver board  165  in order to inductively and capacitively bypass radio frequency interference to the internal ground plane  180 . Special attention was given to the internal ground plane layer  180  to maintain maximum area with minimal discontinuance particularly under RF sensitive components. In addition, a tuned planar surface mount antenna  185  was placed internally in the speaker-mic enclosure  70  for better operator ergonomics and ease of manufacturability.  
         [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates the main component layout of the transmitter PBC board  190 . For the transmitter PCB board  190 , a tuned external antenna  64  is used to achieve the best range of the transmitted signal. The antenna  64  is external and connected to the transmitter PCB board  190  using the via for the external antenna  195 . A controlled impedance transmission line  197  couples the RF transmitter output port  198  to the external antenna  64 , and in combination with the underlying ground plane  200 , ensures that maximum radiated power to the antenna  64  is delivered with minimum signal reflections.  
         [0039]     The transmitting unit enclosure  60  is conductively shielded and is electrically connected to the transmitter PCB board ground plane  200  which effectively shields the internal circuitry from high energy RF interference. Similar to the receiver PCB board  165 , the transmitter PCB board  190  employs multilayer ceramic bypass capacitors for more effective use with high frequencies and LC EMI filters  205  in order to inductively and capacitively bypass radio frequency interference to the underlying ground plane  200 .  
         [0040]     The DC power entering the transmitting unit  60  is protected from harmful transient voltage spikes, which can be present on the vehicle battery  65  supply, by employing a bi-directional transient voltage suppressor diode  210 . These transient spikes can be generated by faulty charging systems or high amperage accessories that superimpose counter EMF (electromotive force) currents upon the vehicle&#39;s power system.  
         [0041]     The transmitter DC power cable  215  sourcing power from the vehicle battery  65  has a clamp-on ferrite choke  220  with an optimized permeability suited for VHF and UHF radio frequency bands typically employed by the operator&#39;s  30  portable radio  50 . The purpose of this choke  220  is to significantly reduce or eliminate any high energy radio frequency interference radiating from the operator&#39;s  30  portable radio transceiver  50  from entering the shielded enclosure of the transmitting unit  60  through the cable  215  and affecting the sensitive circuitry on the transmitter PBC board  190 .  
         [0042]     Operation  
         [0043]     On/In Vehicle  
         [0044]     While operating the vehicle  20 , the operator  30  receives from and transmits to the portable radio  50 . Keying the portable radio  50  is accomplished by pressing the PTT switch  40  mounted on the steering bar  45  of the vehicle  20 . Once the PTT switch  40  is pressed, the operator  30  speaks into the headset microphone  105 . When speaking, the operator  30  hears sidetone through the headset speaker(s)  110 . The operator&#39;s speech is transmitted to the portable radio  50 .  
         [0045]     When the operator  30  is not transmitting, inbound transmissions from the portable radio  50  are heard by the operator  30  through the headset speaker(s)  110 .  
         [0046]     Out/Off of Vehicle  
         [0047]     When the operator  30  exits the vehicle  20 , the operator  30  will continue to hear inbound transmissions from the portable radio  50 .  
         [0048]     When pressing the speaker-microphone PTT button  80  and the helmet communications kit  55  is connected to the speaker-microphone  70 , the operator  30  speaks into the headset microphone  105  and the operator&#39;s speech is transmitted through the portable radio  50 . When transmitting, the operator  30  hears sidetone through the speaker(s)  110 . When not transmitting and the helmet communications kit  55  is connected to the speaker-microphone  70 , all transmissions received by the portable radio  50  are heard through the headset speaker(s)  110  and the speaker  90  in the speaker-microphone  70  is muted. This is called the auto-mute function.  
         [0049]     When the helmet communications kit  55  is not connected to the speaker-microphone  70 , the speaker-microphone auto-mute function is turned off and transmissions from the portable radio  50  are broadcast through the speaker-microphone&#39;s speaker  90 . When the helmet communications kit  55  is not connected to the speaker-microphone  70  and the operator  30  pushes the PTT button  80  on the speaker-microphone  70 , the operator  30  speaks into the speaker-microphone&#39;s microphone  85 . The operator&#39;s speech is transmitted through the portable radio  50 .  
         [0050]     Maintenance  
         [0051]     No regular maintenance of the system is required. The system may run off of the vehicle battery  65  and the portable radio battery  75  so there is no requirement to charge an internal battery in the speaker-microphone  70  from an external power source in order to power the receiving unit assembly  35 .  
         [0052]     Code Selection  
         [0053]     In order to prevent operators of different vehicles from interfering with each other, each system can be set to different operating codes. This ability to have different codes allows for numerous operators to use their communications devices in close proximity without any interference. The code selection is made by selecting a particular code on a switch. The transmitting unit assembly code selection switch  120  and the receiving unit assembly code selection switch  125  both must be set to the same code setting in order for the system to operate properly.  
         [0054]     Accessories  
         [0055]     Attaching an ear bud speaker  135  simply requires plugging in the ear bud speaker  135  to the ear bud speaker port  140  on the speaker-microphone  70 . This mutes the speaker-microphone speaker  90 . The same procedure is used to connect a cellular telephone  160  or personal entertainment device  150  to the system except that they would be plugged into the cellular telephone port  155  and entertainment audio port  145 , respectively.  
       Alternative Embodiments  
       [0056]     Alternative embodiments of the invention are described here.  
         [0057]     Portable Radio Only with Public Address System Interface. Similar system as described above except that there is a wireless interface to a public address (PA) system mounted on the vehicle. Operator would be able to wirelessly use the PA up to 1,500 feet from the vehicle. Either transceivers would have to be put into the transmitting unit assembly  25  and the receiving unit assembly  35  or a receiver would have to be put into the transmitting unit assembly  25  and a transmitter would have to be put into the receiving unit assembly  35  in order to make this alternative embodiment functional.  
         [0058]     Automatic Code Selection. Instead of having to manually select the code, the system would automatically select a code from which to work in order to avoid interference with other systems being used within the wireless range of the system. The system may for example listen to the codes being used within the wireless range and transmit only using a code not used within the wireless range. The code not used within the wireless range may for example be communicated by the vehicle-mounted component wirelessly to the portable component in a special format.  
         [0059]     Automatic Volume Control System which Adjusts Speaker Volume Levels Depending on Vehicle Speed. Because of wind and engine noise, which both typically increase with higher vehicle speed, this additional part of the system would increase or decrease the volume of the helmet communication kit speaker(s)  110  depending on the speed of the vehicle.  
         [0060]     Latency masking. There is the possibility that more powerful radio emissions from other radios in the immediate area or other transmitters broadcasting other codes could interfere with the receiver receiving the code sent by its respective transmitter. This can lead to a fluttering of the function being controlled by the code transmissions as the receiver intermittently receives the code.  
         [0061]     In order to avoid such fluttering, a delay may be inserted in the shut off of the PTT function so that when the PTT is engaged on the speaker-microphone, it is not immediately shut off when the proper code is not received. Instead a slight delay (for example, 300-350 milliseconds) occurs and the PTT function is kept on. This allows for the code from the transmitter to continue to be sent to the receiver and for the receiver to reacquire the two out of three codes which will continue to keep the PTT function on. Thus if the code is not properly received for a few milliseconds, the user can be expected not to notice because the latency masks the fact that the code was not continuously acquired.  
         [0062]     In the embodiment just described, if the PTT button on the handlebar has been released, then there may be a modest delay in the amount of time that it takes for the PTT function to shut off. Commonly the delay will be such that users will not notice it.  
         [0063]     It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred specific embodiments thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.  
         [0064]     All patents, patent applications, and publications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. However, where a patent, patent application, or publication containing express definitions is incorporated by reference, those express definitions should be understood to apply to the incorporated patent, patent application, or publication in which they are found, and not to the remainder of the text of this application, in particular the claims of this application.