IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,245,706
Granted Patent B2
US 8,245,706 · App. 12/488,945 · Granted Aug 21, 2012

Pressure activated remote microphone

Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,245,706
App. No.
12/488,945
Granted
Aug 21, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pressure activated remote microphone is provided within a communication system ( 100 ). A face mask ( 102 ) incorporates a remote microphone ( 118 ) and one or more pressure sensor(s) ( 122 ). When a user puts on the mask ( 102 ), the remote microphone ( 118 ) is enabled in response to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensors ( 122 ). When the mask ( 102 ) is removed, the remote microphone ( 118 ) is disabled in response to the change in pressure sensed by the pressure sensor(s) ( 122 ).

Claims (31)

1. A communication device, comprising:

a mask;

a remote microphone coupled to the mask; and

a pressure sensor coupled to the mask for controlling the remote microphone, wherein the remote microphone of the mask is disabled in response to the mask pressure being at ambient air pressure for a predetermined amount of time.

2. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein microphone audio is routed based on pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.

3. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the mask comprises a breathing mask.

4. The communication device of claim 3 , wherein the breathing mask comprises a self contained breathing apparatus face mask.

5. A communication system, comprising:

a radio;

a mask;

a remote microphone coupled to the mask, the remote microphone communicating with the radio; and

at least one pressure sensor coupled to the mask for controlling the remote microphone, wherein the remote microphone of the mask is disabled and a microphone at the radio is enabled in response to the mask pressure being at ambient air pressure for a predetermined amount of time.

6. The communication system of claim 5 , wherein the radio comprises a portable radio.

7. The communication system of claim 6 , wherein the remote microphone comprises a battery powered remote microphone and the remote microphone communicates wirelessly with the portable radio.

8. The communication system of claim 5 , wherein the remote microphone audio is routed based on pressure in the mask.

9. The communication system of claim 5 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor enables and disables the remote microphone in response to a predetermined pressure change in the mask.

10. The communication system of claim 5 , wherein the remote microphone is disabled after a predetermined time delay in which a pressure difference between the inside of the mask and the outside of the mask is no longer present.

11. The communication system of claim 5 , further comprising:

a controller for receiving pressure change inputs from the at least one pressure sensor, the controller enabling and disabling the remote microphone; and

a battery for supplying power to the controller, the at least one pressure sensor, and the remote microphone.

12. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a mechanical pressure sensor.

13. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a digital pressure sensor.

14. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a plurality of sensors sensing differential pressure.

15. The communication system of claim 5 , wherein the remote microphone is automatically powered on with an increase in mask pressure over ambient air pressure and the remote microphone is automatically powered off when the mask pressure is equivalent to the ambient air pressure.

16. The communication system of claim 15 , wherein the remote microphone is automatically powered off when the mask pressure is at ambient air pressure for a predetermined amount of time.

17. The communication system of claim 16 , wherein the remote microphone audio is transmitted to the radio while the mask pressure is above the ambient air pressure.

18. A communication system, comprising:

a radio comprising a microphone;

a mask for placing on a user's face to form a pressurized seal;

a remote microphone coupled to the mask, the remote microphone communicating with the radio; and

at least one pressure sensor coupled to the mask for sensing the pressurized seal, wherein in response to the sensed pressurized seal, the remote microphone is turned on, and in response to the mask being removed from the user's face, the remote microphone is turned off and the microphone at the radio is turned on.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 6, 2011
From: MOTOROLA, INC
To: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 026079/0880 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2009
From: NAMM, JOSEPH C.
To: MOTOROLA, INC.
Reel/Frame 022857/0394 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100322442A1 · Dec 23, 2010