GB2408424A - A combined wireless communication device and megaphone - Google Patents
A combined wireless communication device and megaphone Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2408424A GB2408424A GB0327184A GB0327184A GB2408424A GB 2408424 A GB2408424 A GB 2408424A GB 0327184 A GB0327184 A GB 0327184A GB 0327184 A GB0327184 A GB 0327184A GB 2408424 A GB2408424 A GB 2408424A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- wireless communication
- communication device
- microphone
- loudspeaker
- amplifier
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010752 BS 2869 Class D Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000017525 heat dissipation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M9/00—Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Transceivers (AREA)
- Transmitters (AREA)
Abstract
A wireless communication device is provided, comprising a microphone and loudspeaker. The device is operable to communicate wirelessly via direct radio link and/or via a base station. The wireless communication device also comprises a reversibly switchable coupling means, in use in a first switching state operably coupling said microphone to said loudspeaker via an amplifier, and in use in a second switching state operably decoupling said microphone from said loudspeaker. This arrangement advantageously combines the functions of a wireless communications device and a megaphone, so reducing the number of items of equipment a user carries.
Description
Wireless Co unication Device
Technical Field
The invention relates to a wireless communication device.
In particular, it relates to the portability of a wireless communication device in conjunction with other devices.
Background
Police and other professionals are typically expected to carry numerous items of equipment for use in a variety of scenarios. This is burdensome and can hamper their efficiency and safety.
Typical equipment includes two-way radios, searchlights, megaphones, mobile phones, detector equipment, defence equipment and medical equipment.
It would be desirable to reduce the number of items carried, so improving the portability of the remaining items.
The purpose of the present invention is to address the above problem.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a wireless communication device comprising a microphone and loudspeaker, the device operable to communicate wirelessly via direct radio link and/or via a base station.
The wireless communication device also comprises a reversibly switchable coupling means, in use in a first switching state operably coupling said microphone to said loudspeaker via an amplifier, and in use in a second switching state operably decoupling said microphone from said loudspeaker.
By counter-intuitively enabling the wireless communications device to amplify and reproduce the user's own speech, instead of transmitting it to a second party, the communications device can advantageously combine the functions of a wireless communications device and a megaphone, so reducing the amount of equipment a user must carry.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 1.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of communication, as claimed in claim 6.
Further features of the present invention are as defined in the dependent claims.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Brief description of the drawings
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communications device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description
Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless communication device 100 is disclosed. The wireless communication device 100 is operable to communicate wirelessly, typically with another wireless communications device, via a direct radio link and/or via a base station.
The device 100 comprises at least a first microphone 110, at least a first loudspeaker 120, an amplifier 130 and a reversibly switchable coupling means 140.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the reversibly switchable coupling means 140 has two switching states.
In a first switching state, in use the microphone 110 is operably coupled to the loudspeaker 120 via the amplifier 130.
In a second switching state, in use the microphone 110 is operably decoupled from the loudspeaker 120.
The reversibly switchable coupling means 140 may take the form of a physical switch, or a software-based switch.
Preferably, the microphone 110 is remotely associated with the wireless communication device 100 to limit acoustic feedback from the loudspeaker 120. Typically therefore the microphone 110 is a remote speaker microphone or part of a personal hands-free kit, coupled to the wireless communication device 100 via a wired or wireless (e.g. Bluetooth_) connection.
In an alternative or complementary means of limiting acoustic feedback, the loudspeaker 120 may also be remotely associated with the wireless communication device 100 in a similar manner.
In addition, the wireless communication device 100 may comprise known electronic or software means to limit feedback.
Preferably, the amplifier 130 is a class-D amplifier.
Typically a class-D amplifier is one in which the output transistors are operated as switches. When a transistor is off, the current through it is zero. When the transistor is on, the voltage across it is small, ideally zero. In either case, the power dissipation is very low. This increases the amplifier's efficiency, thus requiring less power from the power supply and resulting in less heat dissipation. These are important advantages in portable or handheld battery powered equipment, such as a TErrestrial Trunked RAdio (TETRA) wireless communication device.
A method of two-mode communication, between wireless communication and amplified audio communication, is also provided.
The method comprises the steps of: i. at the wireless communication device 100, switching the reversibly switchable coupling means 140 to a first switching state, so operably coupling the microphone 110 to the loudspeaker 120 via an amplifier 130 integral to the wireless communication device 100; and ii. subsequently switching the reversibly switchable coupling means 140 to a second switching state, so operably decoupling said microphone 110 from said loudspeaker 120.
It will be understood that the wireless communication device 100 as described above, provides at least one or more of the following advantages: i. A combination of the functions of a wireless communications device and a megaphone; ii. Provision of an efficient amplification means for a battery-powered megaphone; and iii. A reduction in the number of items a user may need to carry in, for example, an emergency scenario.
Claims (7)
- Claims 1. A wireless communication device comprising a microphone andloudspeaker, the device being operable to communicate wirelessly via direct radio link and/or via a base station, and characterized by; a reversibly switchable coupling means, in use in a first switching state operably coupling said microphone to said loudspeaker via an amplifier, and in use in a second switching state operably decoupling said microphone from said loudspeaker.
- 2. A wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the microphone is remotely associated with the wireless communication device.
- 3. A wireless communication device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the loudspeaker is remotely associated with the wireless communication device.
- 4. A wireless communication device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amplifier is a class D amplifier.
- 5. A wireless communication device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a software application comprises the reversibly switchable coupling means.
- 6. A method of two-mode communication comprising the steps of; i. at a wireless communication device, the device operable to communicate wirelessly via direct radio link and/or via a base station, switching a reversibly switchable coupling means to a first switching state, so operably coupling a microphone to a loudspeaker via an amplifier integral to the wireless communication device; and ii. switching the reversibly switchable coupling means to a second switching state, so operably decoupling said microphone from said loudspeaker.
- 7. A wireless communication device according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0327184A GB2408424B (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2003-11-21 | Wireless communication device |
| PCT/EP2004/051714 WO2005055451A1 (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-08-04 | Wireless communication device with radio and megaphone modes |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0327184A GB2408424B (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2003-11-21 | Wireless communication device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0327184D0 GB0327184D0 (en) | 2003-12-24 |
| GB2408424A true GB2408424A (en) | 2005-05-25 |
| GB2408424B GB2408424B (en) | 2006-07-19 |
Family
ID=29764264
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0327184A Expired - Fee Related GB2408424B (en) | 2003-11-21 | 2003-11-21 | Wireless communication device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2408424B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005055451A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0945317A2 (en) * | 1998-03-21 | 1999-09-29 | Gisela Kirmes | Communication device for a vehicle |
| JP2000232525A (en) * | 1999-02-10 | 2000-08-22 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Interphone system |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3615568B2 (en) * | 1994-07-13 | 2005-02-02 | 鈴木 啓司 | Combined alarm device |
-
2003
- 2003-11-21 GB GB0327184A patent/GB2408424B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-08-04 WO PCT/EP2004/051714 patent/WO2005055451A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0945317A2 (en) * | 1998-03-21 | 1999-09-29 | Gisela Kirmes | Communication device for a vehicle |
| JP2000232525A (en) * | 1999-02-10 | 2000-08-22 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Interphone system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0327184D0 (en) | 2003-12-24 |
| WO2005055451A1 (en) | 2005-06-16 |
| GB2408424B (en) | 2006-07-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20221121 |