Abstract:
A communications system for a vehicle user is provided. The system comprises a portable transceiver which the vehicle user can easily carry on his or her person and a vehicle-mounted transceiver. The portable transceiver is capable of communicating with the vehicle-mounted transceiver. Audio information contained in a transmission from the portable transceiver may be retransmitted by the vehicle-mounted transceiver either to a public address system or a second vehicle-mounted transceiver.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/820,345, filed Jun. 18, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/814,176, filed Jun. 16, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to mobile radio systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    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, most 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. 
         [0005]    Portable Radio. This type of two-way radio is typically worn on the officer&#39;s belt and is typically low power with its transceiver being able to have between 3 and 5 watts of power. Portable radios work well in situations where the patrol area is limited and the geographical features of the area are fairly flat. 
         [0006]    Mobile Radio. This type of two-way radio is mounted on the motorcycle in the radio box that is on the back of the bike. This radio has more range than a portable radio because it has greater power. The typical wattage of a motorcycle mobile radio is 15 watts. Mobile radios typically cost 3×-5× as much as a portable radio and work well when the patrol area is over a large area and/or the terrain is hilly or has significant obstructions. 
         [0007]    In addition to the radios, 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. 
         [0008]    Since 1970, there have been a number of offerings in the marketplace to allow motorcycle officers the ability to operate their radios and public address systems without having to take their hands off the handlebars. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    On the officer, these offerings typically include a boom microphone and speakers that are mounted on/in the helmet. 
         [0011]    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 the inbound and outbound transmissions over the mobile radio and also allows for the keying of the radio. 
         [0012]    Others have invented wireless interfaces between communication devices and riders. In general, however, these systems have lacked features. The following are some examples of desirable features: (a) Allowing the rider to both receive and transmit over the mobile radio while on the motorcycle. (b) Operating solely off of the motorcycle battery and the portable radio battery. No additional charging of batteries is required. (c) Having the ability to remotely and wirelessly operate the PA system while a significant distance (e.g., 50 feet) from the motorcycle. (d) Not requiring a rider to pair or sync his on-person equipment with the equipment on the motorcycle. (e) Not requiring locking connectors, which greatly increases rider safety. (f) Having the ability to operate in a wired mode if the wireless connection should fail. (g) Having side tone, which increases the ease of communication for the rider. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    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, microphones, and public address systems. 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. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment of the invention, a communications system for a vehicle user is provided. The system comprises a portable transceiver which the vehicle user can easily carry on his or her person and a vehicle-mounted transceiver. The portable transceiver is capable of communicating with the vehicle-mounted transceiver. Audio information contained in a transmission from the portable transceiver may be retransmitted by the vehicle-mounted transceiver either to a public address system or a second vehicle mounted transceiver. 
         [0015]    In a further embodiment of the invention, a method of communicating for a vehicle user is provided. By means of a first transceiver mounted on a vehicle used by the user, a first radio signal containing audio information is received. The first radio signal is transformed to produce a second radio signal containing substantially the same audio information. By means of a portable transceiver mounted on the user&#39;s person, the second radio signal is received and demodulated it to produce an audio signal. At least one speaker is energized with the audio signal so that the user perceives audio information contained in the first radio signal. By means of a microphone additional audio information resulting from words said by the user is captured. By means of the portable transceiver, a third radio signal containing the audio information resulting from words said by the user is generated. In response to the third radio signal, either playing the audio information in the third radio signal on a public address system, or transmitting that audio information in a fourth radio signal. 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a representation of an operator on a vehicle using the system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a representation of an operator off and away from the vehicle using the system and the remote PA feature. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a representation of the system without it being on a vehicle and the operator. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a system schematic of the vehicle module assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a system schematic of the operator module assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to specific embodiments, 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. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    In the following a preferred embodiment of the invention is described. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a radio system comprised of the equipment permanently affixed to the vehicle  20  (vehicle module assembly  21 ) and removable equipment worn and controlled by the operator  22  (operator module assembly  23 ). This system allows the operator  22  to communicate to a distant radio through the vehicle mobile radio  24  by pressing the steering bar  26  mounted switch  28  to the radio push-to-talk (PTT) position  30  and speaking into the microphone  32 . When the operator  22  releases the PTT switch  28 , the operator  22  will receive any inbound communications from the mobile radio  24  thought the speaker(s)  34 . If the operator  22  exits the vehicle  20 , the operator  22  can communicate to a distant radio using the portable radio  36  attached to his person by pressing the PTT switch  38  on the speaker-microphone  40 . When the operator  22  releases the PTT switch  38 , the operator  22  will receive any inbound communications from the portable radio  36  through the speaker(s)  34 . 
         [0025]    By pressing either the steering bar switch  28  to the PTT position  30 , or the speaker-microphone PTT switch  38 , the operator  22  automatically selects which radio system with which he wishes communicate. By pressing the steering bar switch  28  to the PTT position  30 , all inbound and outbound communications will be established via the mobile radio  24 . The mobile radio  24  is connected to the vehicle module assembly  21  through a mobile radio connector assembly  41  which varies in design depending on the type of mobile radio  24 . Alternately, by pressing the speaker-microphone PTT switch  38 , the operator  22  will switch all inbound and outbound communications to the portable radio  36 . The portable radio  36  is connected to the operator module assembly  23  through a portable radio adaptor  42  which varies in design depending on the type of portable radio  36 . 
         [0026]    Pressing the steering bar  26  mounted switch  28  to the radio push-to-talk (PTT) position  30  enables a mobile mode signaling command from the vehicle module  21  to the speaker-microphone  40 . This sets an internal flip-flop  43  that switches internal circuitry within the speaker microphone  40  into the mobile mode. When the system is in the mobile mode, the mobile radio&#39;s  24  inbound and outbound transmissions are routed to the headset  44 . The headset is comprised of the speaker(s)  34  and microphone  32 . When the headset  44  is connected to the speaker-microphone  40 , a sidetone feature is enabled sending a small amount of the microphone signal back into the speaker(s)  34  so the operator  22  hears a little bit of his speech for enhanced aural feedback. The operator  22  has the option to disconnect the headset  44  from the speaker-microphone  40  and in doing so the headset  44  functions are automatically switched to a self-contained internal microphone  46  and speaker  48  within the speaker-microphone  40 . The sidetone feature is only functional with the headset  44  connected to the speaker-microphone  40 . 
         [0027]    When operating in the mobile wireless mode, the operator  22  has a transmit and receive audio link established from the speaker-microphone  40  to the vehicle module assembly  21 . This wireless communication path is radiated from an antenna  50  within the speaker-microphone  40 , to an antenna  51  affixed to the vehicle  20 . The vehicle antenna  51  is connected to the vehicle control module  52  located within the vehicle  20 . The steering bar switch  28 , public address (PA) cable assembly  54 , wired-backup cable assembly  56 , and vehicle power cable  58 , are additional cables routing power and control signals to the vehicle control module  52 . 
         [0028]    When the operator  22  momentarily presses or locks the steering bar switch  28  to the PA position  60 , the wireless signal from the headset microphone  32  is transmitted to the vehicle control module  52  and is rebroadcast to the vehicle public address system  62 . When in remote PA mode, the remote PA feature is operational at considerable distance away from the vehicle  20 . The PA mute button  63  when pressed, mutes the PA system until the PA mute button  63  is released. This PA mute button  63  can be a momentary or locking switch. 
         [0029]    The speaker-microphone  40  has three optional audio interfaces. First, the operator  22  can plug in an ear bud speaker  64  and privately monitor incoming radio transmissions. When inserted into the port  66  in the speaker-microphone  40 , the ear bud speaker  64  would mute the speaker-microphone&#39;s speaker  48 . Second, the operator  22  can plug into the personal entertainment device port  67  a device  68  such as a CD player or transistor radio that is summed with incoming radio transmissions. Third, the operator  22  can plug into the cellular telephone port  69  a cellular telephone  70  that is summed with incoming radio transmissions and outbound cellular telephone conversation can be accomplished through the headset microphone  32 . 
         [0030]    Internal within the vehicle control module  52  are voltage regulators  72  that step down the vehicle&#39;s volt system to voltage levels appropriate for internal circuitry. In the speaker-microphone  40  are voltage regulators  74  that step down the portable radio&#39;s  36  power source to voltage levels appropriate for the speaker-microphone&#39;s  40  internal circuitry. 
         [0031]    Within both the vehicle control module  52  and the speaker-microphone  40  are binary switches  76 ,  78  that allow the manual selection of numerous discrete RF frequencies for dedicated individual wireless links so operators with similar equipment will not interfere with each other. The operator  22  also has the ability to automatically increment though discrete RF frequencies to establish a clear channel. 
         [0032]    The operator  22  has the option to connect his headset  44  to the vehicle control module&#39;s  52  wired-backup cable assembly  56  thus allowing a conventional wired signal path from the headset  44  directly to the mobile radio  24 . This feature could be used in the event the wireless system should fail. Within the vehicle control module  52 , is a detection circuit  80  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) that senses that the wired-backup cable assembly  56  is connected to the headset  44 . This connection activates a relay  82  within the vehicle control module  52  that directly routes the headset&#39;s  44  speaker(s)  34  and microphone  32  to the mobile radio  24 . Also, the detection circuit  80  disables the vehicle control module transceiver  84  transmit function to prevent superfluous wireless transmissions. In this wired mode, the vehicle steering bar PTT and PA switch  28  still activate the mobile radio  24  and vehicle public address system  62 , respectively. 
         [0033]    When the operator  22  exits the vehicle  20  and wishes to have inbound and outbound communications established via the portable radio  36 , the operator  22  only needs to press the PTT switch  38  on the speaker microphone  40 . When this PTT button  38  is pressed an internal flip flop  42  within the speaker microphone  40  is reset which switches internal circuitry into the portable radio mode. When operating in the portable radio mode, the PTT switch  38 , speaker microphone  40 , or headset  44 , will be directly connected to the portable radio  36 . The sidetone feature is functional when the headset  44  is connected to the speaker microphone  40 . 
         [0034]    In certain embodiments of the invention, the operator is able to simultaneously hear the audio streams from the portable radio  36  as well as the mobile radio  24  in the vehicle operator&#39;s  22  headset speaker(s)  34  or speaker-microphone speaker  48 . The operator module assembly  23  takes the multiple audio streams and sums them such that both audio streams are simultaneously sent to the headset speakers  34 . By adjusting the volume of either radio, the operator can hear one stream more loudly or softly or the at the same volume level as the other radio. Transmitting over either radio is accomplished as described above. No different technique is required to transmit. 
         [0035]    The operation of an embodiment of the invention is now described: 
         [0036]    A. On/In Vehicle 
         [0037]    While operating the vehicle  20 , the operator  22  receives from and transmits to the mobile radio  24 . Keying the mobile radio  24  is accomplished by pressing the switch  28  mounted on the steering bar  26  of the vehicle  20  to the radio push-to-talk (PTT) position  30 . Once the switch  28  is pressed to the PTT position  30 , the operator  22  speaks into the headset microphone  32 . When speaking, the operator  22  hears sidetone through the speaker(s)  34 . Sidetone is when the operator can hear his own voice through the speaker(s)  34  when he transmits. This helps the brain process speech when communicating, particularly in high noise environments. The operator&#39;s speech is transmitted from the mobile radio  24 . 
         [0038]    To use the vehicle PA system  62 , the operator  22  presses the switch  28  to the PA position  60 . The operator speaks into ‘the headset microphone  32 . When speaking, the operator  22  hears sidetone through the headset speaker(s)  34 . The operator&#39;s speech is transmitted through the PA system  62 . 
         [0039]    When the operator  22  is not transmitting, inbound transmissions on the mobile radio  24  are heard by the operator  22  through the headset speaker(s)  34 . 
         [0040]    If the operator  22  prefers to have a wired connection to the system instead of the wireless connection, the operator  22  takes the wired-backup cable assembly  56  and plugs it directly into the headset  44 . In the wired mode, the system works the same as described above except that there is a physical wired connection between the operator module assembly  23  and vehicle module assembly  21 . 
         [0041]    B. Out/Off of Vehicle 
         [0042]    When the operator  22  exits the vehicle  20 , the operator  22  will continue to hear inbound transmissions from the mobile radio  24  until the operator  22  is out of range or the operator  22  presses PTT button  38  on the speaker-microphone  40 . Pressing the speaker-microphone PTT switch  38  switches the system from transmitting and receiving on the mobile radio  24  to transmitting and receiving on the portable radio  36 . To go back to transmitting and receiving over the mobile radio  24 , the operator  22  must press the switch  28  mounted on the steering bar  26  of the vehicle  20  to the PTT position  30 . From this point, until the PTT switch  28  on the speaker-microphone  40  is pressed again, the system will be in mobile radio mode and all transmissions will be transmitted to and received from the mobile radio  24 . 
         [0043]    When pressing the speaker-microphone PTT button  38  and the headset  44  is connected to the speaker-microphone  40 , the operator  22  speaks into the headset microphone  32  and the operator&#39;s speech is transmitted through the portable radio  36 . When transmitting, the operator  22  hears sidetone through the speaker(s)  34 . When not transmitting and the headset  44  is connected to the speaker-microphone  40 , all transmissions received by the portable radio  36  are heard through the speaker(s)  34  and the speaker  48  in the speaker-microphone  40  is muted. This is called the auto mute function. 
         [0044]    When the headset  44  is not connected to the speaker-microphone  40 , the speaker-microphone auto mute function is turned off and transmissions from the portable radio  36  are broadcast through the speaker-microphone&#39;s speaker  48 . When the headset  44  is not connected to the speaker-microphone  40  and the operator  22  pushes the PTT button  38  on the speaker-microphone, the operator  22  speaks into the speaker-microphone microphone  46 . The operator&#39;s speech is transmitted through the portable radio  36 . 
         [0045]    To operate the vehicle PA system  62  remotely, the operator  22  presses the switch  28  on the vehicle steering bar  26  to the PA position  60  and locks it down to this position. Now whenever the operator  22  speaks into the microphone  32  and the headset  44  is connected to the speaker-microphone  40 , the operator&#39;s speech is broadcast through the PA system  62 . If the headset  44  is disconnected from the speaker-microphone  40 , the speaker-microphone  40  auto-mute function is disabled and the speech spoken into the speaker-microphone microphone  46  is broadcast through the PA system  62 . While in the remote PA mode, if an inbound radio transmission should come in from the portable radio  36  or mobile radio  24 , depending on which radio is selected, the inbound transmission is heard by the operator  22  through the either the headset speaker(s)  34  or the speaker-microphone speaker  48 , depending on whether or not the headset  44  is connected. While in PA mode, if the operator  22  would like to momentarily mute either the headset microphone  32  or the speaker-microphone microphone  46 , the operator  22  presses the mute button  63  on the speaker-microphone  40 . As long as the mute button  63  is held down, the microphone that is currently being used is muted. When in PA mode, if the operator  22  would like to transmit over the portable radio  36 , the operator  22  presses the PTT switch  38  on the speaker-microphone  40  and speaks into the headset microphone  32  or the speaker-microphone microphone  46  depending on whether the headset  44  is connected to the speaker-microphone  40  or not. Pressing the speaker-microphone PTT switch  38  overrides the PA mode functionality, so that no broadcasts are made through the PA system  62 , and the operator&#39;s speech is transmitted through the portable radio  36 . 
         [0046]    C. Maintenance 
         [0047]    No regular maintenance of the system is required. The system may run off of the vehicle&#39;s battery  86  and the portable radio&#39;s battery  88  so there is no requirement to charge an internal battery in the speaker-microphone  40  from an external power source in order to power the operator module assembly  23 . 
         [0048]    D. Frequency Selection 
         [0049]    In order to avoid operators of different vehicles from interfering with each other, each system can be set to different operating frequencies. This ability to have different frequencies allows for numerous operators to use their communications devices in close proximity without any interference. The frequency selection is made by selecting a particular frequency on a switch. The vehicle control module frequency switch  90  and the speaker-microphone frequency switch  92  both must be set to the same frequency setting in order for the system to operate properly. Exemplary frequencies include, for example, the 902 to 928 MHz frequency range and the 2.4 GHz frequency band (as used, for example, by the Bluetooth communications standards). 
         [0050]    E. Accessories 
         [0051]    Attaching an ear bud speaker  64  simply requires plugging in the ear bud speaker  64  to the ear bud speaker port  66  on the speaker-microphone  40 . This mutes the speaker-microphone speaker  48 . The same procedure is used to connect a cellular telephone  70  or personal entertainment device  68  to the system except that they would be plugged into the cellular telephone port  69  and entertainment audio port  67 , respectively. 
         [0052]    The following briefly describes some features of alternative embodiments of the invention. 
         [0053]    Mobile and Portable Radios without Public Address System Interface. Similar system as described above except that the PA mode functionality is not included. 
         [0054]    Portable Radio Only with Public Address System Interface. Similar system as described above except that there is no interface to a mobile radio. All inbound and outbound radios transmissions are through the portable radio whether the operator in or out of the vehicle. PA mode functionality is the same as described above. 
         [0055]    Mobile-only with PA. Similar system as described above except that there is no interface or usage of a portable radio. An alternate power source for the on-person components of the system would be supplied. In addition, all communications would be through the mobile radio whether the operator is in or out of the vehicle. 
         [0056]    Mobile-only. Similar system as “Mobile-only with PA” above, except that there is no interface to the PA. 
         [0057]    Remotely Turn on the PA System. Instead of turning the remote PA functionality on at the vehicle, the system would have ability to remotely activate the PA within the range of the wireless system. 
         [0058]    Automatic Frequency Selection. Instead of having to manually select the frequency, the system would automatically select a frequency from which to work in order to avoid interference with other systems being used within range of the system. 
         [0059]    Interface to Multiple Mobile Radios. Similar system as described above except that there could be more than one mobile radio which the system interfaces to. Similarly, the system could interface to multiple portable radios. 
         [0060]    Superposition of Audio Streams. The user may wish to listen simultaneously to multiple audio streams. One audio stream may come, for example, from a portable radio and the other from a mobile radio. Alternatively, if the system of the invention interfaces to multiple mobile radios, two audio streams may for example come from mobile radios. 
         [0061]    The superposition of the audio streams is easily implemented by standard techniques of electronics. For example, analog summation of the audio streams using an analog adder circuit may be employed. Alternatively, the two audio streams may be digitized in the form of samples and may be added digitally. 
         [0062]    The ability to interface to multiple audio streams may be useful in particular circumstances. An example is a police motorcycle officer who wants to hear a dispatch channel over the mobile radio and also have the ability to hear a tactical channel over the portable radio at the same time. 
         [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.