Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Special service
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-15
2001-06-05
Vo, Nguyen T. (Department: 2682)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Special service
C455S011100, C455S517000, C379S159000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243573
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to radio communications and more particularly to a personal communications system utilizing digital communications for use in both wired intercoms and wireless point-to-point communications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wireless communications are well known. Such systems as walkie talkies, CB radios, and cellular telephones utilize wireless communications to facilitate point-to-point communications between individuals at different locations.
Such wireless communications systems typically utilize well known half duplex or talk-then-listen radio methodology wherein a user can listen to an incoming communication, or can speak, but not both simultaneously. Such half duplex wireless communication systems use either a push button control or the like or alternatively use a voice operated switch (VOX) to change the mode of the transceiver from receive to transmit.
While such contemporary wireless communication systems have generally been suitable for their intended purposes, they possess the inherent deficiency of requiring explicit actuation of the transmit mode via such a manually operated or automatic switch and also suffer from the inherent deficiency of not permitting an incoming communication when the transceiver is in the transmit mode.
Of course, requiring an operator to manually actuate the transmit mode, typically via a push button switch, necessitates that the operator use a hand (or possibly a foot) to key the microphone. Such explicit operation of the transceiver is not only a distraction, but may also be extremely undesirable in instances where the operator's hands (and possibly feet) are otherwise occupied. For example, tank drivers, aircraft pilots, helicopter pilots, etc., particularly when engaged in demanding maneuvers, may not be able to perform such manipulations, or may do so only at the risk of neglecting some other task which requires immediate attention.
Voice operated switches have been developed in an attempt to mitigate the problems associated with manually operated half duplex transceivers. However, such voice operated switches introduce an altogether new set of problems. Such problems include the operation of a voice operated switch in a high noise environment and the necessity of properly adjusting the sensitivity of the voice operated switch in such a high noise environment. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, high levels of ambient noise frequently result in the undesirable and inadvertent keying or actuation of the voice operated switch, such that no actual voice transmission is broadcast and the transceiver is prevented from accepting incoming transmissions.
Also, the user of such a voice operated switch in a high noise environment must speak louder than normal, so as to actuate even a properly adjusted voice operated switch. Such loud speaking can be fatiguing and may even result in hoarseness or other voice-related problems.
Regardless of what type of half duplex transceiver is utilized (manually actuated or VOX), another problem associated with such half duplex systems is the inadvertent keying thereof. Manually operated switches have an undesirable tendency to stick in the actuated position, thereby resulting in constant transmission and the inability to receive broadcasts from other transceivers. Thus, the operator who has such a stuck key can not even be notified by other individuals, who are listening to the inadvertent broadcast, that his key is stuck in the actuator position, since the individual who has the stuck key is incapable of receiving broadcasts due to half duplex operation of the transceiver. Further, as discussed above, voice operated switches may become inadvertently actuated due to high ambient noise levels.
As such, it is clear that a full duplex transceiver for point-to-point communications would be desirable.
Wire intercoms are also well known. Frequently, such intercoms are configured such that a plurality of users may talk simultaneously with respect to one another and each user may talk while listening to the conversations of a plurality of users. Thus, conversations via such wired intercoms tend to be much more natural than those taking place via wireless, half-duplex wireless communication systems.
It would further be desirable to provide intercom-like operation of the radio transceivers, such that they are capable of receiving a plurality of separate transmissions simultaneously, while the user is speaking. In this manner, each transceiver will pick up the broadcast of all other transceivers so as to provide a much more natural means for communication.
It would further be desirable to provide a comprehensive communications system which integrates wireless communications with wired intercom communications, such that persons utilizing a wired communications system, such as that of a tank, aircraft, helicopter, etc., may readily communicate among one another, and may also, simultaneously if desired, communicate with persons who are not part of the wired intercom system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art. More particularly, the present invention comprises a personal communications systems comprising a plurality of wireless personal communications units defining a network and configured to send and receive digital communications among one another via the network. Each personal communications unit comprises a radio transceiver. Optionally, the network further comprises a wired intercom system.
A first wireless interface adaptor further defines the network. Each wireless interface adapter comprises a repeater. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a repeater comprises a transceiver configured to receive and re-transmit radio signals on predetermined, generally different frequencies. Such repeaters are used to effectively extend the range of transceivers. Sometimes a plurality of repeaters will be required to relay a signal from a sender to a recipient. The personal communications units are configured to cooperate with the wireless interface adaptor when the wireless interface adaptor is available. The wireless interface adaptor coordinates access of each personal communications unit to at least one other personal communications unit. The personal communications units are further configured to cooperate with one another to effect communications therebetween when no wireless interface adaptor is available.
Thus, according to the present invention, the wireless interface adaptor determines which personal communications unit, as well as which intercoms, if any, are party to a particular conversation. Thus, an initiator of a conversation may specify, either via voice commands, switch setting, or any other desired manner, which other personal communications units and/or intercoms are to receive his transmission and are to be able to communicate back with him.
The personal communications units are configured to communicate among themselves when a wireless interface adaptor is unavailable. The personal communications units are configured to use distributed control of the network defined thereby when a wireless interface adaptor is not available. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communications units and the wireless interface adapters are configured to facilitate communications of both voice and data.
The wireless interface adaptor is configured to transmit communications received from either a personal communications unit or another wireless interface adaptor to another personal communications unit, a wired intercom, and/or a third wireless interface adaptor.
The wireless interface adaptor is configured to provide centralized control of the network. Each personal communications unit is configured to request network access from a wireless interface adaptor and to commence communication only after access is granted by the wireless interface adaptor, when a wireless interface adaptor is available.
Each perso
Anderson Terry J.
Hoch, Jr. Karl J.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Vo Nguyen T.
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