GB2459280A

GB2459280A - Communications apparatus, system and method of supporting a personal area network

Info

Publication number: GB2459280A
Application number: GB0806922A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Edward Murray
Original assignee: WATERBORNE Ltd
Current assignee: WATERBORNE Ltd
Priority date: 2008-04-16
Filing date: 2008-04-16
Publication date: 2009-10-21
Also published as: WO2009127876A1; GB0806922D0

Abstract

A communications apparatus comprises a processing resource (900, 902). The communications apparatus also comprises a first personal area network communications module (904) and a second personal area network communications module (910) operably coupled to the processing resource (900, 902) and arranged to support a common personal area network in respect of voice communications. The apparatus may be used as a marine safety system on board a boat. The apparatus acts as a base station communicating with portable devices such as headsets worn by crew members. The apparatus may monitor headsets and provide an alarm when communication is lost. The base station may also provide charging points in its housing for the portable devices.

Description

COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SUPPORTING

A PERSONAL AREA NETWORK

[0001] The present invention relates to a communications apparatus of the type that, for example, supports voice communications between two communications devices. The present invention also relates to a communications system of the type that, for example supports voice communications between two communications devices. The present invention further relates to a method of supporting a personal area network of the type that, for example, supports voice communications between two communications devices.

[0002] In the field of ocean-going vessels, it is known that members of a crew of a vessel, for example a yacht, have a need to communicate with each other. For many years, verbal communication has been employed. However, in many circumstances, due to environmental conditions, verbal communication takes the form of shouting and in some situations the members of the crew do not wish to resort to shouting. In this respect, communication between the members of the crew is sometimes difficult when, for example, a first member of the crew is at the helm of the vessel and a second member of the crew is dropping an anchor from the vessel at a distance from the first member of the crew. Similarly, it is difficult for a guide stationed at a bow of the vessel to be heard clearly when trying to show a member of the crew at the helm where to steer the vessel in a crowded anchorage late at night.

[0003] In another situation, a navigator located "down below" in a cabin of the vessel also experiences difficulty communicating with the first crew member at the helm. In this regard, irrespective of sources of noise external from the vessel, it is not uncommon for an engine of the vessel to be sufficiently loud to drown out voice communication between the cabin and the deck of the vessel. In fact, in some situations, for example where two members of the crew are sharing a maintenance task at respective positions either side of a hull or deck of the vessel, the engine noise can still make communications between the crew members difficult, irrespective of whether or not noise is emanating from a source or sources external to the vessel. Of course, the above are but a few examples of situations where communication difficulties will occur in relation to ocean going vessels, and other analogous difficulties also arise in relation to this and other environments where background noise levels are an obstacle to effective communication between people.

[0004] By way of example, it is sometimes desirable for members of a rowing team to be able to communicate effectively, for example to receive instructions from a coxswain or "cox". Furthermore, it is also desirable in many other situations for members of a team, sporting or otherwise, to communicate confidentially.

[0005] Whilst it is known to employ portable communications devices, for example two-way radios, such communications devices are not always secure and so susceptible to eavesdropping by third parties. This is particularly undesirable when participating in competitive yachting. Additionally, some two-way radios are not capable of permanent monitoring of a communications channel. Further, two-way radios are usually bulky and require additional hardware in order to provide hands-free operation, for example the VoiceboxTM throat microphone sold by 000ltalk Limited, UK.

[0006] However, an additional consideration, for example in relation to ocean-going travel, is safety of the crew of the vessel, because it is known for crew members to occasionally fall overboard. In such circumstances, early knowledge of loss of a crew member can be a deciding factor in the recovery and hence survival of the crew member. In this connection, two-way radios are typically of no use.

[0007] A small number of safety devices are known in order to cater for this requirement. One known system is "LifeTagTM" available from Raymarine plc, UK.

The LifeTag system comprises a base station and a number of wireless wristband or pendant devices that are each monitored by the base station. A pendant device is worn by attachment to a life jacket, a Personal Floatation Device (PFD), or on a safety harness or a belt. The pendant devices each broadcast a unique identification code to the base station. In the event of a so-called "Man Overboard" (MOB) situation, the communications link between the pendant device, no longer on board, and the base station is degraded by immersion in water and/or distance from the base station to a sufficiently low level and an alarm is initiated by the base station. Whilst providing an alert for MOB situations, the LifeTag system does not provide any facility for voice communications between the wearers of the pendant devices.

[0008] Another known system is the MOB Guardian system available from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), UK and/or McMurdo Limited. Like the LifeTag system mentioned above, the MOB Guardian system comprises a number of so-called "Personal Safety Devices" that are in radio communication with a base station. The base station monitors communications with the personal safety devices and when a personal safety device falls into water, a communications link with the personal safety device is severed resulting in the base station initiating an alarm. However, again, the MOB Guardian system is incapable of supporting radio communication between wearers of the personal safety devices.

[0009] International patent publication no. WO 2005/043480 Al relates to a marine safety system comprising a number of wireless transmitter units, each arranged to transmit successive signals at pseudo random intervals. Each transmitter has a transmitter range associated therewith. A base station is provided that receives the signals transmitted from the wireless transmitter units and an alarm device is coupled to the base station. When a plurality of successive signals from a transmitter unit are not detected as a result of the transmitter unit being out of range of the base station, the base station initiates an alarm via the alarm device.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communications apparatus comprising: a processing resource; and a first personal area network communications module and a second personal area network communications module operably coupled to the processing resource and arranged to support a common personal area network in respect of voice communications.

[0011] The processing resource may comprise a mixer arranged to interconnect, when in use, voice communications in relation to the first personal area network communications module and the second personal area network communications module.

[0012] The first personal area network communications module may be a first piconet communications module and the second personal area network communications module may be a second piconet communications module.

[0013] The common personal area network may be a common piconet. The common piconet may be a voice piconet.

[0014] The first personal area network communications module may support a first cell, for example a first picocell. The second personal area network communications module may support a second cell, for example a second picocell. The first and second cells may be substantially overlapping.

[0015] The first personal area network communications module, the second personal area network communications module and the processing resource may constitute, when in use, a conference bridge.

[0016] The first personal area network communications module may be disposed relative to the second personal area network communications module so as to be spaced from the second personal area network communications module, thereby optimising radio-frequency performance.

[0017] The optimisation of the radio frequency performance may be to reduce interference between the first personal area network communications module and the second personal area network communications module.

[0018] The first and second personal area network communications modules may support a respective Bluetooth protocol stack.

[0019] The apparatus may further comprise: a plurality of charging ports. The apparatus may further comprise: a first output device. The first output device may be a display device. The display device may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device.

[0020] The apparatus may further comprise: a second output device; the second output device may be capable of generating audible output. The audible output may be the voice communications.

[0021] The apparatus may further comprise: an input port for receiving audio information. The input port may be arranged to be coupled, when in use, to a wired audio input device or a wired input/output device. The wired audio input device may be a microphone. The input port may be arranged, when in use, to receive broadcast audio information. The broadcast audio information may be content broadcast on an unsecured channel. The unsecured channel may be an RF channel.

[0022] The first personal area network communications module, the second personal area network communications module and the input port may be arranged so that audio information received, when in use, via the input port may be communicated over the common personal area network. The input port may be coupled to the processing resource. The input port may be coupled to the mixer.

[0023] The apparatus may further comprise: a data port for communicating update data therethrough. The data port may be a Universal Serial Bus port. The Universal Serial Bus port may be arranged to operate, when in use, as a simple serial communications port.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communications system comprising: the communications apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention; and a first portable communications device capable of communicating with the first personal area network communications device.

[0025] The first portable communications device may be a first human interface device.

[0026] The first portable communications device may be a first communications headset. The first portable communications device may be a first communications earpiece. The first portable communications device may have an audio mute function.

[0027] The system may further comprise: a second portable communications device capable of communicating with the second personal area network communications device. The second portable communications device may be a second human interface device. The second portable communications device may be a second communications headset. The second portable communications device may be a second communications earpiece. The first portable communications device may have an audio mute function.

[0028] The first personal area communications module may be arranged to establish a trusted communications relationship with the first portable communications device. Establishment of the trusted communications relationship may be a pairing.

[0029] The first portable communications device may have security information associated therewith relating to establishment of the trusted communications relationship. The processing resource may be arranged to receive, when in use, the security information; the security information may be used to establish a first trusted communications relationship between the first portable communications device and the first personal area network communications module.

[0030] The system may further comprise: an input key, the processing resource initiating a process to establish the trusted communications relationship in response to actuation of the input key.

[0031] The system may further comprise: a data store coupled to the processing resource; and an input device; wherein the processing resource is arranged with the input device in order to record, when in use, identification information in respect of the first portable communications device. The input device may comprise a keypad. The input device may comprise a microphone.

[0032] The processing resource may be arranged to support, when in use, provision of the identification information by predictive text input.

[0033] The processing resource may be arranged to receive a first vocal tag and associate the first vocal tag with the first portable communications device.

[0034] The first vocal tag may be received, when in use, by the processing resource via the microphone.

[0035] The first vocal tag may be received, when in use, by the processing resource via a microphone of the first portable communications device.

[0036] The processing resource may be arranged to determine, when in use, when communication with the first portable communications device is lost.

Communication with the first portable communications device may be lost as a result of the common personal area network moving away from the first portable communications device so that the first portable communications device may be out of range of the common personal area network.

[0037] The processing resource may be arranged to initiate an alert in response to loss of communication between the first personal area network communications module and the first portable communications device. The audible output may be the alert. The audible output may be a siren or alarm.

[0038] The alert may be a flashing alert. The display device may comprise a display illuminator; the display illuminator may be arranged to flash a first colour in order to provide the flashing alert. The display illuminator may be a backlight. The display illuminator may be arranged to flash alternately between the first colour and a second colour.

[0039] The processing resource may be arranged to identify, when in use, the first portable communications device when the first portable communications device is transmitting voice data. The processing resource may be arranged to retrieve the identification information previously stored. The display device may be used to identify the first portable communications device.

[0040] The processing resource may be arranged to communicate, when in use, the alert; communication of the alert may comprise communication of the identification information to identify the user of the first portable communications device.

[0041] The system may further comprise: an audible output device, wherein the identification information may be communicated audibly by the audible output device.

[0042] The identification information may be communicated over the common personal area network.

[0043] The alert may comprise a pre-recorded message portion and/or a synthesised voice message portion.

[0044] The identification information may comprise textual data; communication of the identification information may comprise reproduction of the textual data as synthesised speech.

[0045] The system may further comprise: a communications network; and a communications interface coupled, when in use, to the communications network.

The communications interface may be compatible with the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 0183 or 2000 standard.

[0046] The system may further comprise: a Radio-Frequency communications device coupled to the communications network; wherein initiation of the alert may comprise the processing resource initiating communication of a distress message using the Radio-Frequency communications device. The Radio-Frequency communications device may be a marine VHF transceiver.

[0047] The system may further comprise: a location determination unit coupled to the communications network; the location determination unit may be arranged to provide location information. The location information may be global. The location information may be derived from data received from a number of satellites. The satellites may be part of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), for example a Global Positioning System (GPS) or a European satellite navigation system (Ga Ii leo).

[0048] The system may further comprise: a chartplotter coupled to the communications network; the chartplotter may be arranged to provide location information.

[0049] The processing resource may be arranged to obtain the location information via the communications network and include the location information in the distress message.

[0050] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communications base station comprising the communications apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0051] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a marine safety system comprising the communications system as set forth above in relation to the second aspect of the invention.

[0052] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communications system comprising: a processing resource; a personal area network communications module coupled to the processing resource; and a portable communications device; wherein the processing resource is arranged to monitor, when in use, the personal area network communications module and determine when communication between the personal area network communications module and the portable communications device is lost.

[0053] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting a personal area network, the method comprising: providing a first personal area network communications module; providing a second personal area network communications module; arranging the first and second personal area network communication modules to support a common personal area network in respect of voice communications.

[0054] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating an alert, the method comprising: supporting a personal area network as set forth above in relation to the sixth aspect of the invention; providing a portable communications device capable of communicating with the first personal area network communications device; and determining when communication between the first personal area network communications module and the portable communications device is lost.

[0055] It is thus possible to provide a communications apparatus, communications system and method of supporting a personal area network that supports communications between a number of individuals, the apparatus being conducive to manufacture in a financially efficient manner. Hindrance to communication between the number of individuals by sources of audible noise is obviated or at least mitigated. Also, a degree of protection from eavesdropping in real-time or near real-time is provided not least by the limited range of the apparatus and system. The system provides sufficient flexibility to enable a number of modes of operation, for example a broadcast from one terminal to a number of terminals, or multi-way or conference style communication between terminals. In relation to loss of terminals and hence crew or team members, the system, apparatus and method further provides an elegant additional mechanism to determine when a terminal has been lost in a manner that implies a danger to the crew or team member.

[0056] The system also advantageously permits use of existing commercially available terminals to work within the system and hence, if desired, permit owners of the system to benefit from a cost saving by not purchasing bespoke terminals.

Furthermore, the ability to choose terminals also enables users to choose application-specific terminals that possess features that make the terminals particularly beneficial in relation to certain applications.

[0057] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a yacht comprising a system constituting a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram in plan view of a base station of the system of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a first side elevation of the base station of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a second side elevation of the base station of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an underside of the base station of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a first end elevation of the base station of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second end elevation of the base station of Figure 3; Figure 9 is a block diagram of a circuit of a communications apparatus of the base station of Figure 3; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a communications network; Figure 11 is a flow diagram of voice communication-related functionality of the system of Figure 2 in relation to the first and second embodiments of the invention; Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an ocean-going vessel in relation to which a system constituting a third embodiment of the invention is employed; and Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a tennis court at which the system of Figure 12 is employed; Figure 14 is a flow diagram of safety functionality of the system of Figure 2 used in the fourth embodiment; Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a situation at a first instant in time necessitating the system of Figure 1 in a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the situation of Figure 14 at a second instant in time.

[0058] Throughout the following description identical reference numerals will be used to identify like parts.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1, a sea-going vessel, for example a boat, such as a yacht 100 comprises a deck 102 and a cabin space 104 "down below". A crew of the yacht 100 comprises a first crew member 106, a second crew member 108 and a third crew member 110 located at different positions about the yacht 100.

[0060] Turning to Figure 2, a safety system, for example a marine safety system 200, comprises a first communications terminal constituting a communications apparatus that serves, in this example as a base station 202. A first portable communications device constituting a first human interface device, for example a first headset 204, is capable of Radio-Frequency (RF) communications with the base station 202. A second portable communications device constituting a second human interface device, for example a second headset 206, is also capable of Radio-Frequency (RF) communications with the base station 202. A third portable communications device constituting a third human interface device, for example a third headset 208, is also capable of Radio-Frequency (RF) communications with the base station 202.

[0061] Although further portable communications devices 210 are shown in Figure 2, the presence of the further portable communications devices 210 simply serves to illustrate exemplary capacity of the safety system 200, further details of which need not be discussed herein to explain this or other embodiments.

Consequently, for the sake of simplicity and conciseness of description, no further reference to the further portable communications devices 210 will be made herein.

In this example, the first and third headsets 204, 208 are of a first type, for example a first physical shape, and the second headset 206 is of a second type, for example a second physical shape.

[0062] The first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 are headsets that operate in accordance with the BluetoothTM standard and so support a Bluetooth communications stack. The first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 are ordinary commercially-available headsets, for example as offered by telecommunications manufacturers, such as Plantronics and Motorola. However, other makes and models of BluetoothTM headset or earpiece can be used in the safety system 200. Of course, in marine environments, it is desirable to ensure that the headsets used possess the necessary immunity to liquid ingress and physical robustness due to the harshness of the environment, as well as proper control of air noise and immunity to audio feedback.

[0063] In order to support a first level of privacy between crew members, each of the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 have a respective mute function to prevent pickup of sound by respective microphones of the first, second and third headsets, 204, 206, 208. In order to permit charging, the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 each have a female jack-type socket for receiving a male jack plug coupled to an electrical charger (not shown). The skilled person should appreciate that other headsets than those described herein can be employed in the safety system 200 instead of those provided by the manufacturers specified above.

[0064] Although, thus far, the safety system 200 has been described in the context of use on a sea-going vessel, the skilled person should appreciate that other vessels apply equally, be they non sea-going, for example carnival floats or other vehicles. Indeed, the above system need not be employed in respect of any body of water and can be used in relation to other situations, examples of which will be described later herein.

[0065] Referring to Figure 3, the base station 202 comprises a housing 300. The base station 202 also comprises a first output device, for example a display device, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device 302, and a first input device, for example a keypad arrangement 304. The display device 302 comprises a display illuminator, for example a backlight (not shown). In this example, the display illuminator can illuminate the display device 304 using a choice of two colours of light, for example green and orange light.

[0066] The keypad arrangement 302 comprises a primary numeric keypad 306, a set of function keys 308, directional scrolling keys 310 and a power button 312.

The keypad arrangement 304 is provided for controlling the safety system 200 and providing responses to the base station 202.

[0067] On a first side (Figure 4) 400 of the housing 300, a first array of charging points provided for charging purposes. In this example, the first array of charging points is an array of male jack-type plugs 402 so as to be compatible with the female jack sockets possessed by the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 described above. However, the skilled person should appreciate that other charging interfaces can be provided, for example a plurality of jack (or other) plugs coupled to the base station 202 by respective wires.

[0068] Similarly, on a second side (Figure 5) 500 of the housing 300, a second array of charging points is provided for charging purposes. In this example, the second array of charging points is also an array of male jack-type plugs 502 50 as to be compatible with the female jack sockets possessed by the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 described above. However, again, the skilled person should appreciate that other charging interfaces can be provided, for example a plurality of jack (or other) plugs coupled to the base station 202 by respective wires.

[0069] Turning to Figure 6, an underside 600 of the housing 300 comprises a panel 602 for receiving standard manufacturing-related information, for example compliance information, and model and serial number information. An alarm interface port 604, a power supply port 606 and a first audio input port 608, for example a female jack socket, are also accessible via the underside 600 of the housing 300.

[0070] Referring to Figure 7, a second audio port 700, a volume control 702 and a data access port 704 are provided at a first end 706 of the housing 300. In this example, the data access port 704 is a USB port, for example a type-A USB receptacle. A battery port 800 (Figure 8) and a network interface port 802 are provided at a second end 804 of the housing 300 in order to receive a rechargeable battery, for example a Lithium Ion battery, to power the base station or provided back-up power and to provide network connectivity, respectively.

Although a volume control 702 is described above for providing volume control, the skilled person should appreciate that other techniques can be employed, for example via a software user interface employing the keypad arrangement 304 and the display device 302.

[0071] Turning to Figure 9, the base station 202 comprises a processing resource, the processing resource comprising a microcontroller 900 and a mixer, for example an audio mixer 902. Although not shown, the microcontroller 900 is coupled to a digital memory, for example a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory. A first Bluetooth transceiver 904 is coupled to a first respective antenna 906 and a first coder/decoder (hereinafter referred to as a "codec") 908. A second Bluetooth transceiver 910 is coupled to a second respective antenna 912 and a second codec 914. A third Bluetooth transceiver 916 is coupled to a third respective antenna 918 and a third codec 920. The first Bluetooth transceiver 904 is capable of supporting a first voice channel 922, a second voice channel 924 and a first data channel 926. The second Bluetooth transceiver 910 is capable of supporting a third voice channel 928, a fourth voice channel 930 and a second data channel 932. The third Bluetooth transceiver 916 is capable of supporting a fifth voice channel 934, a sixth voice channel 936 and a third data channel 938.

[0072] The first codec 908, the second codec 914 and the third codec 920 are each coupled to the audio mixer 902. The second audio port 700 is also coupled to the audio mixer 902. Additionally, the first audio input port 608 is coupled to the audio mixer 902.

[0073] The first Bluetooth transceiver 904 comprises a first respective data port 940 coupled to a first data port 942 of the microcontroller 900. The second Bluetooth transceiver 910 comprises a second respective data port 944 coupled to a second data port 946 of the microcontroller 900. The third Bluetooth transceiver 916 comprises a third respective data port 948 coupled to a third data port 950 of the microcontroller 900. A fourth data port 952 of the microcontroller 900 is coupled to the network interface port 802, the network interface port 802 being coupled to a communications network, details of which will be described later herein.

[0074] The first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916 are disposed within the housing of the base station 202 in spaced relationship in order to optimise RF performance of the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916, for example to reduce interference between the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916.

[0075] A first data output port 954 is coupled to the display device 302 via a display driver (not shown) and a second data output port 956 is coupled to an alarm signal generation unit 958. A first output 960 of the alarm signal generation unit 958 is coupled to the alarm interface port 604 and a second output 962 of the alarm generation unit 958 is coupled to the audio mixer 902. Although not shown, the alarm interface port 604 is coupled to an alarm unit capable of generating a loud audible alarm, for example a siren.

[0076] Referring to Figure 10, the base station 202 is coupled to a communications network 1000, for example a network compatible with the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 2000 standard. The base station 202 is coupled to the communications network 1000 via the network interface port 802. A chartplotter unit 1002 is coupled to the communications network 1000.

Additionally, a location determination unit, for example Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver unit 1004 is coupled to the communications network 1000. Also, an RF transceiver unit 1006 is coupled to the communications network 1000. In this example, the RF transceiver unit 1006 is a marine VHF transceiver.

[0077] Operation of the above embodiments will now firstly be described in the context of a marine application, in particular competitive yachting. However, the skilled person should appreciate that the embodiments can be employed in other environments and, as mentioned previously above, some of these alternative applications will be described later herein.

[0078] In operation, and referring to Figure 11, the yacht 100 is participating in a race. Prior to participating, the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 are each connected into a jack plug of the array of charging points 402 for charging (Step 1100). Once charged and before first use of the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 with the base station 202, it is necessary for each of the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 to establish a trusted communications relationship with the base station 202. In the context of the Bluetooth standard, establishment of the trusted communications relationship is known as "pairing". Typically, the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 are pre-configured with a security code, for example a key, such as a predetermined PIN code, for example "1234", and each of the first, second, and third headsets 204, 206, 208 is, in turn, paired with the first Bluetooth transceiver 904, the second Bluetooth transceiver 910 and the third Bluetooth transceiver 916 depending upon capacity of each of the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916. In this respect, as mentioned above, each of the first, second and third Bluetooth transceiver 904, 910, 916 is capable of supporting two voice channels and a data channel. Consequently, if one or both voice channels of a given Bluetooth transceiver are occupied, the given Bluetooth transceiver has limited or no available capacity, though other Bluetooth transceivers of the base station 202 may have capacity to support voice channels.

[0079] In this example, one of the set of function keys 308 is preconfigured as a shortcut to initiate a pairing procedure. Consequently, a user pressing (Step 1102) the one of the set of function keys 308 initiates the pairing procedure resulting in the microcontroller 900 interrogating each of the first, second and third Bluetooth controllers 904, 910, 916 in turn to determine capacity. Once a Bluetooth controller has been identified with available capacity, for example the first Bluetooth controller 904, the microcontroller 900 initiates a message to be displayed on the display 302 instructing the user of the first headset 204 to cause the first headset 204 to enter a pairing mode. The microcontroller 900 also, in this example, prompts the user of the first headset 204, via the keypad 306, to confirm when the first headset 204 has been put in the pairing mode.

[0080] Once confirmation has been received by the microcontroller 900, the microcontroller 900 and the Bluetooth transceiver 904 cooperate in order to obtain the predetermined PIN code for the first headset 204 from the user of the first headset 204 and then communicate with the first headset 204 via the first Bluetooth transceiver 904 in order to establish a first pairing (Step 1204) between the first Bluetooth transceiver 904 and the first headset 204. Since the process of pairing between two Bluetooth enabled devices is known, for the sake of simplicity and conciseness of description, the pairing process will not be described in further detail herein. The microcontroller 900 then determines (Step 1106) whether all the headsets, which are required by the crew, have been paired.

[0081] In this respect, in order to enable communications between the second headset 206 and the base station 202 and the third headset 208 and the base station 202, the above-described pairing process is repeated (Step 1104) in respect of the second headset 206 and the third headset 208. Consequently, the second headset 206 is also paired with the first Bluetooth transceiver 904, but due to the first and second voice channels 922, 924 supported by the first Bluetooth transceiver 904 being allocated to the first and second headsets 204, 206, the first Bluetooth transceiver 904 has no more capacity to support voice channels and so the second Bluetooth transceiver 910 is paired (Step 1104) with the third headset 208 under instruction of the microcontroller 900.

[0082] As an additional stage to the pairing process in this example, the microcontroller 900 prompts, via the display device 302, for the provision of textual tags, for example names, to identify the respective users of each the first, second and/or third headset 204, 206, 208 via the keypad. In another embodiment, the microcontroller 900 can be arranged to support a predictive text system to support input of data via the keypad 306. The textual tag is received by the microcontroller 900, and an association is made between each textual tag and the respective headset and stored in the digital memory by the microcontroller 900.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, the microcontroller 900, in cooperation with the first, second (and if needed third) Bluetooth transceiver 904, 910 (916) can prompt for and record, vocal tags, for example names, to identify respective users of each of the first, second and/or third headsets 204, 206, 208 via the respective microphones of the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208. Alternatively, if desired, the vocal tags can be input via the microphone coupled to the base station 202. Each vocal tag is received by the microcontroller 900 and an association is made between each vocal tag and the respective headset and stored in the digital memory by the microcontroller 900.

[0084] Once paired with the first and second Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 are used to communicate between users of the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208 as will now be described in further detail.

[0085] The first Bluetooth transceiver 904 supports a first personal area network, the second Bluetooth transceiver 910 supports a second personal area network and the third Bluetooth transceiver 916 supports a third personal area network.

Together, the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916 support a common personal area network for voice communications. As, in this example, the first, second and third transceivers are Bluetooth transceivers, the first, second and third personal area networks are respective first, second and third individual piconets. Consequently, the first, second and third piconets together constitute a common piconet, for example a common voice piconet. In this respect, the first, second and third piconets substantially overlap.

[0086] In this example, the first crew member 106 is located at the aft of the yacht 100, the second crew member 108 at the fore of the yacht 100, the third crew member 110 is located at the helm of the yacht 100, and a fourth crew member (not shown) is located down below in the cabin 104 near the base station 202. The first crew member 106 is wearing the first headset 204, the second crew member 108 is wearing the second headset 206 and the third crew member 110 is wearing the third headset 208. However, the fourth crew member has a microphone, constituting a wired audio input device, coupled to the base station 202 via the second audio port 700.

[0087] When the user of the first headset 204 speaks, first data constituting a first voice communication is transmitted from the first headset 204 to the first Bluetooth transceiver 904. The first Bluetooth transceiver 904 is capable of receiving the first data constituting the first voice communication and transmits (Step 1108) the first data constituting the first voice communication to the second headset 206 for reproduction via a speaker of the second headset 206 so that the first voice communication can be heard by the user of the second headset 206. Additionally, the first data constituting the first voice communication is communicated to the first codec 908 and the first codec 908 provides the first voice communication as a first analogue signal that is fed to the audio mixer 902. The audio mixer 902, using a suitable mixing technique, communicates (Step 1108) the first analogue signal to the second codec 914 and the third codec 920. The second codec 914 then encodes the first analogue signal as first encoded digital data corresponding to the first voice communication and the second Bluetooth transceiver 910 transmits the first encoded digital data corresponding to the first voice communication to the third headset 208 for reproduction via a speaker of the third headset 208 sO that the first voice communication can be heard by the user of the third headset 208.

As no headsets are paired with the third Bluetooth transceiver 916, the third Bluetooth transceiver 916 does not transmit the first encoded digital data constituting the first voice communication.

[0088] Similarly, when the user of the second headset 206 speaks, second data constituting a second voice communication is transmitted from the second headset 206 to the first Bluetooth transceiver 904. The first Bluetooth transceiver 904 is capable of receiving the second data constituting the second voice communication and transmits (Step 1208) the second data constituting the second voice communication to the first headset 204 for reproduction via a speaker of the first headset 204 so that the second voice communication can be heard by the user of the first headset 204. Additionally, the second data constituting the second voice communication is communicated to the first codec 908 and the first codec 908 provides the second voice communication as a second analogue signal that is fed to the audio mixer 902. The audio mixer 902, using the mixing technique, communicates (Step 1208) the second analogue signal to the second codec 914 and the third codec 920. The second codec 914 then encodes the second analogue signal as second encoded digital data corresponding to the second voice communication and the second Bluetooth transceiver 910 transmits the second encoded digital data corresponding to the second voice communication to the third headset 208 for reproduction via a speaker of the third headset 208 so that the second voice communication can be heard by the user of the third headset 208.

As no headsets are paired with the third Bluetooth transceiver 916, the third Bluetooth transceiver 916 does not transmit the second encoded digital data constituting the second voice communication.

[0089] Likewise, when the user of the third headset 208 speaks, third data constituting a third voice communication is transmitted from the third headset 204 to the second Bluetooth transceiver 910. The second Bluetooth transceiver 910 is capable of receiving the third data constituting the third voice communication and simply communicates the third data constituting the third voice communication to the second codec 914, without re-transmitting the third data constituting the third voice communication as no other headsets are paired with the second Bluetooth transceiver 910. The second codec 914 provides the third voice communication as a third analogue signal that is fed to the audio mixer 902. The audio mixer 902, using the mixing technique, communicates (Step 1108) the third analogue signal to the first codec 908 and the third codec 920. The first codec 908 then encodes the third analogue signal as third encoded digital data corresponding to the third voice communication and the first Bluetooth transceiver 904 transmits the third encoded digital data corresponding to the third voice communication to the first and second headsets 204, 206 for reproduction via respective speakers of the first and second headset 204, 206 so that the third voice communication can be heard by the users of the first and second headset 204, 206. As no headsets are paired with the third Bluetooth transceiver 916, the third Bluetooth transceiver 916 does not transmit the third encoded digital data constituting the third voice communication. The above sharing of voice communications is continued (Step 1110) until the base station 202 is powered-down.

[0090] Hence, it can be seen that the combined use of the Bluetooth transceivers and the audio mixer 902 enables interconnection of the first, second and third headsets, the multi-way communications constituting, in this example, a conference bridge. In this example, the interconnection or inter-communication is achieved by a dual-tier configuration, a first local tier re-transmitting received voice communications to a communications device locally paired with a Bluetooth transceiver and a second tier shares voice communications between Bluetooth transceivers. In another embodiment, the conference bridge can be expanded by permitting a fourth voice communication from the fourth crew member to be heard by the users of the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208. In this respect, when the fourth crew member speaks, via the microphone mentioned above, a fourth analogue signal generated by the microphone is received by the audio mixer 902 and communicated (Step 1108) to the first, second and third codecs 908, 914, 920. The first, second and third codecs 908, 914, 920 encode the fourth analogue signal as fourth encoded digital data that is respectively passed to the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916. The first Bluetooth transceiver 904 then transmits the fourth encoded digital data corresponding to the fourth voice communication to the first and second headsets 204, 206 for reproduction via respective speakers of the first and second headset 206, 206 50 that the fourth voice communication can be heard by the users of the first and second headset 204, 206. Similarly, the second Bluetooth transceiver 910 transmits the fourth encoded digital data corresponding to the fourth voice communication to the third headset 208 for reproduction via a speaker of the third headset 208 so that the fourth voice communication can be heard by the user of the third headset 208. As no headsets are paired with the third Bluetooth transceiver 916, the third Bluetooth transceiver 916 does not transmit the fourth encoded digital data constituting the fourth voice communication. Hence, it can be seen that the fourth voice communication from the fourth crew member can be shared with the users of the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208.

[0091] The conference bridge can be expanded further still by the mixing (Step 1108) of an audio output signal from an RF broadcast receiver (not shown) into the conference bridge. In this example, a VHF audio broadcast, for example a marine weather broadcast or a broadcast from a race master of the race is received by a VHF radio (not shown) coupled to the base station via an audio jack plug of the VHF radio and the first audio input port 608. The VHF radio outputs a fifth analogue signal that is received by the audio mixer 902 in a like manner to the fourth analogue signal and communicated (Step 1108) to the first, second and third headsets 204, 206, 208. Of course, the skilled person should appreciate that other audio content can be broadcast. In this example, the broadcast is not private in the secured transmission sense, and so as an unsecured broadcast can be received by any suitable RF receiver without any special facilities to decrypt received transmissions.

[0092] In all of the above embodiments, the base station 202 is equipped with a second output device capable of generating an audible output, for example a loudspeaker (not shown). The loudspeaker is appropriately coupled to the audio mixer 902 and used to reproduce in an audible manner communications between the first, second, third and fourth crew members as well as the content of the VHF broadcast.

[0093] Turning to Figure 12, the above conference bridge facility can be used for communications between members of a sales team, for example at an exhibition.

In this example, a motor powered yacht 1200 is located on a stand at the exhibition. A first salesperson 1202 is located aboard the yacht 1200 with a first member 1204 of a purchasing pair. A second salesperson 1206 is location on the exhibition floor and speaking with a second member 1208 of the purchasing pair.

A third salesperson, for example a sales manager 1210 is also located on the exhibition floor and able to communicate with the first and second salespeople 1202, 1206. A three-way conversation is possible between the sales manager 1210 and the first and second salespeople 1202, 1206. Consequently, the sales manager 1210 can coordinate sales negotiations with the first and second members 1204, 1208 of the purchasing pair using the conference bridge facility supported by the base station 202 as described above in relation to competitive yachting.

[0094] Referring to Figure 13, the first and second headsets 204, 206 can be worn in a sporting environment where the base station 202 supports the conference bridge facility. An example of a suitable sporting application is doubles tennis 1300 comprising a first doubles team 1302 and a second doubles team 1304. In this example, the first doubles team 1302 comprises a first player 1306 and a second player 1308. The first player 1306 of the first doubles team 1302 wears the first headset 204 and the second player 1308 of the first doubles team 1302 wears the second headset 206. The first and second players 1306, 1308 are therefore able to communicate with each other in order to coordinate their efforts, for example deciding discretely who takes a particular shot against the second doubles team 1304, for example a smash or a volley shot.

[0095] If the match is being played for training purposes, the third headset 208 can be worn by a coach (not shown) and used by the coach to give instructions to the first and second players 1306, 1308 without disturbing the concentration of the second doubles team 1304.

[0096] Of course, the above conference bridging facility can also be enjoyed by the second doubles team 1304 by providing another base station for use by the second doubles team 1304, and if appropriate a coach of the second doubles team 1304. Alternatively, the base station 202 can be arranged so that communications between teams can be supported, communications between one team being private with respect to another team sharing the base station 202. In this embodiment, the base station 202 is arranged so that the mixer permits communication by the third headset with the first team, the second team and/or both teams. Dedicated control buttons or other switching devices can be provided, the buttons being spaced and/or located on the base station 202 to relate intuitively to a first side and a second side of, for example a net, so as to avoid inadvertent communication with the wrong team.

[0097] Returning to the example of competitive yachting (Figure 14), the first crew member 106 is on board the yacht 100 and not verbally communicating with other crew members via the conference bridge facility provided by the base station 202. The first crew member 106 is within the common piconet supported by the base station 202. During operation of the base station 202, the microcontroller 900 polls (Step 1400) each of the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916 in order to determine (Step 1402) whether paired headsets remain in communication with the respective Bluetooth transceivers. In the present example, the microcontroller 900 determines whether the first, second and third paired headsets 204, 206, 208 remain in radio communication with the first and second Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910. In this respect, when a first communications session between the first headset 204 and the first Bluetooth transceiver 904 terminates, or a second communications session between the second headset 206 and the first Bluetooth transceiver 904 terminates, or a third communications session between the third headset 208 and the second Bluetooth transceiver 910 terminates, the termination of the first, second and/or third communications session is detected (Step 1404) by the microcontroller 900. In this respect, the first, second and/or third communications session terminates automatically when the first, second and/or third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916 lose communication respectively with the first, second and/or third headset 204, 206, 208. Such loss of communication therefore occurs when the first, second and/or third headset 204, 206, 208 become out of communications range of the common piconet.

[0098] As the yacht 100 progresses along a course of the race, the first crew member 106 falls overboard into the sea (Figure 15). However, at the time the first crew member 106 falls into the sea, the second, third and fourth crew members 106, 110 are unaware of this potentially life-threatening event.

Consequently, the yacht 100 continues on the course and becomes distanced (Figure 16) from the first crew member 106. The base station 202 also therefore becomes distanced from the first crew member 106. Hence, the common piconet moves away from the first crew member 106 and so the base station 202 very quickly moves out of range of the first headset 204 and the first communications session terminates. The termination of the first communications session is detected (Step 1402, 1404) by the microcontroller 900 and the microcontroller 900 causes (Step 1406) the alarm signal generation unit 958 to generate an alarm signal via the second output 962, the alarm signal being provided to the audio mixer 902 and hence provided to the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916 so that the alarm signal can be reproduced as an audible alarm signal by the second and third headsets, 206, 208. The alarm signal is also reproduced by the loudspeaker of the base station 202. Also, in this example, the microprocessor 900 causes the display illuminator to flash so as to provide a flashing alert. The display illuminator flashes alternately between the two colours of the display illuminator. However, the display illuminator can be arranged simply to flash in a single colour: on and off. Additionally, the alarm signal generation unit 958 generates an alarm initiate signal at the alarm port 604 to trigger to the alarm unit (not shown) to generate an audible alarm.

[0099] In another embodiment, the alarm signal generation unit 958 can obtain from the microcontroller 900 the textual name information obtained during pairing and use the textual information corresponding to the first crew member 106 to synthesis a voice to state the identity of the first crew member 106, the name of the first crew member 106 being included in an audible alarm message. The alarm message is, in this example, formed from a sufficiently loud voice synthesised message including the name of the first crew member 106 as mentioned above, though the alarm message can be a combination of synthesised voice, pre-recorded message and/or alarm siren. In another embodiment, the synthesised reproduction of the identity of the first crew member 106 can be replaced with the pre-recorded voice tag recorded during pairing of the headsets.

[0100] Also, the microcontroller 900 controls the display device 304 in order to display in textual form the identity associated with the first headset 204 that is the subject of the alarm.

[0101] Additionally, in this example, the microcontroller 900 communicates with the chartplotter 1002 and the GPS unit 1004 via the communications network 1000 in order to determine a position of the yacht 100 at the time the termination of the first communications session was detected. The communication with the chartplotter 1002 and the GPS unit 1004 is in accordance with the NMEA 2000 standard, although the skilled person should understand that any other suitable communications standard can be employed, for example the NMEA 0183 standard. The location-related information, once obtained, is encapsulated in a distress message and communicated to the VHF transceiver unit 1006 via the communications network 1000 for broadcast on an emergency frequency for receipt by a coast guard service in order to obtain assistance in recovering the first crew member 106 from the sea.

[0102] The skilled person will appreciate that the location information employed is, in this example, global. However, although the provision of the location information has been described in the context of the Positioning System (GPS) where the location information is derived from data received from a number of satellites, the skilled person should appreciate that the satellites can be part of another Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), for example the European satellite navigation system (Galileo).

[0103] As can be seen, the base station 202 in combination with the headsets can be used as a so-called Man OverBoard (MOB) detection system.

[0104] For the purposes of maintenance, for example upgrade, upgrade information, for example firmware, can be uploaded to a chipset of the base station 202 via the USB data access port 704. In this example, the USB data access port 704 operates as a simple serial communications port. However, the skilled person should appreciate that the base station 202 can be arranged to receive the upgrade information from a portable storage device, for example a so-called USB memory stick. Also, the data access port 704 need not be a USB port and other port types compliant with other standards, for example RS-232, can be used to serve as the data access port 704.

[0105] Although the above embodiments have been described in the context of the Bluetooth standard and associated Bluetooth communications stack, the skilled person should appreciate that alternative suitable communications standards can be employed, the first, second and third Bluetooth transceivers 904, 910, 916 being any suitable personal area network communications modules capable of supporting respective cells, for example piconet communications modules.

Claims

Claims: 1. A communications apparatus comprising: a processing resource; and a first personal area network communications module and a second personal area network communications module operably coupled to the processing resource and arranged to support a common personal area network in respect of voice communications.
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the processing resource comprises a mixer arranged to interconnect, when in use, voice communications in relation to the first personal area network communications module and the second personal area network communications module.
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the first personal area network communications module is a first piconet communications module and the second personal area network communications module is a second piconet communications module.
4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the common personal area network is a common piconet.
5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the common piconet is a voice p icon et.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first personal area network communications module, the second personal area network communications module and the processing resource constitute, when in use, a conference bridge.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first personal area network communications module is disposed relative to the second personal area network communications module so as to be spaced from the second personal area network communications module, thereby optimising radio-frequency performance.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second personal area network communications modules support a respective Bluetooth protocol stack.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a plurality of charging ports.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first output device.
11. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the first output device is a display device.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a second output device, the second output device being capable of generating audible output.
13. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the audible output is the voice communications.
14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an input port for receiving audio information.
15. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the input port is arranged to be coupled, when in use, to a wired audio input device or a wired input/output device.
16. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the input port is arranged, when in use, to receive broadcast audio information.
17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, wherein the first personal area network communications module, the second personal area network communications module and the input port are arranged so that audio information received, when in use, via the input port is communicated over the common personal area network.
18. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the input port is coupled to the processing resource.
19. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, when dependent upon Claim 2, wherein the input port is coupled to the mixer.
20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a data port for communicating update data therethrough.
21. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the data port is a Universal Serial Bus port.
22. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the Universal Serial Bus port is arranged to operate, when in use, as a simple serial communications port.
23. A communications system comprising: the communications apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and a first portable communications device capable of communicating with the first personal area network communications device.
24. A system as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the first portable communications device is a first human interface device.
25. A system as claimed in Claim 23 or Claim 24, wherein the first portable communications device is a first communications headset.
26. A system as claimed in Claim 23 or Claim 24, wherein the first portable communications device is a first communications earpiece.
27. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 26, further comprising: a second portable communications device capable of communicating with the second personal area network communications device.
28. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 27, wherein the first personal area communications module is arranged to establish a trusted communications relationship with the first portable communications device.
29. A system as claimed in Claim 28, wherein establishment of the trusted communications relationship is a pairing.
30. A system as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the first portable communications device has security information associated therewith relating to establishment of the trusted communications relationship.
31. A system as claimed in Claim 30, wherein the processing resource is arranged to receive, when in use, the security information, the security information being used to establish a first trusted communications relationship between the first portable communications device and the first personal area network communications module.
32. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 28 to 31, further comprising: an input key, the processing resource initiating a process to establish the trusted communications relationship in response to actuation of the input key.
33. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 32, further comprising: a data store coupled to the processing resource; and an input device; wherein the processing resource is arranged with the input device in order to record, when in use, identification information in respect of the first portable communications device.
34. A system as claimed in Claim 33, wherein the input device comprises a keypad.
35. A system as claimed in Claim 33 or Claim 34, wherein the processing resource is arranged to support, when in use, provision of the identification information by predictive text input.
36. A system as claimed in Claim 33, wherein the input device comprises a microphone.
37. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 36, wherein the processing resource is arranged to receive a first vocal tag and associate the first vocal tag with the first portable communications device.
38. A system as claimed in Claim 37, when dependent upon Claim 36, wherein the first vocal tag is received, when in use, by the processing resource via the microphone.
39. A system as claimed in Claim 37, wherein the first vocal tag is received, when in use, by the processing resource via a microphone of the first portable communications device.
40. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 39, wherein the processing resource is arranged to determine, when in use, when communication with the first portable communications device is lost.
41. A system as claimed in Claim 40, wherein communication with the first portable communications device is lost as a result of the common personal area network moving away from the first portable communications device so that the first portable communications device is out of range of the common personal area network.
42. A system as claimed in Claim 40 or Claim 41, wherein the processing resource is arranged to initiate an alert in response to loss of communication between the first personal area network communications module and the first portable communications device.
43. A system as claimed in Claim 42, when dependent upon Claim 12, wherein the audible output is the alert.
44. A system as claimed in Claim 42, wherein the alert is a flashing alert.
45. A system as claimed in Claim 44, when dependent upon Claim 11, wherein the display device comprises a display illuminator, the display illuminator being arranged to flash a first colour in order to provide the flashing alert.
46. A system as claimed in Claim 45, wherein the display illuminator is arranged to flash alternately between the first colour and a second colour.
47. A system as claimed in Claim 33, wherein the processing resource is arranged to identify, when in use, the first portable communications device when the first portable communications device is transmitting voice data.
48. A system as claimed in Claim 47, wherein the processing resource is arranged to retrieve the identification information previously stored.
49. A system as claimed in Claim 47, when dependent upon Claim 11, wherein the display device is used to identify the first portable communications device.
50. A system as claimed in Claim 42, when dependent upon Claim 33, wherein the processing resource is arranged to communicate, when in use, the alert, communication of the alert comprising communication of the identification information to identify the user of the first portable communications device.
51. A system as claimed in Claim 50, further comprising: an audible output device; wherein the identification information is communicated audibly by the audible output device.
52. A system as claimed in Claim 50, wherein the identification information is communicated over the common personal area network.
53. A system as claimed in any one of Claim 50, wherein the alert comprises a pre-recorded message portion and/or a synthesised voice message portion.
54. A system as claimed in Claim 50, wherein the identification information comprises textual data, communication of the identification information comprising reproduction of the textual data as synthesised speech.
55. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 54, further comprising: a communications network; and a communications interface coupled, when in use, to the communications network.
56. A system as claimed in Claim 55, wherein the communications interface is compatible with the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 0183 or 2000 standard.
57. A system as claimed in Claim 55, when dependent upon Claim 42, further comprising: a Radio-Frequency communications device coupled to the communications network; wherein initiation of the alert comprises the processing resource initiating communication of a distress message using the Radio-Frequency communications device.
58. A system as claimed in Claim 57, further comprising: a location determination unit coupled to the communications network, the location determination unit being arranged to provide location information.The location information may be global. The location information may be derived from data received from a number of satellites. The satellites may be part of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), for example a Global Positioning System (GPS) or a European satellite navigation system (Galileo).
59. A system as claimed in Claim 57, further comprising: a chartplotter coupled to the communications network, the chartplotter being arranged to provide location information.
60. A system as claimed in Claim 58 or Claim 59, wherein the processing resource is arranged to obtain the location information via the communications network and include the location information in the distress message.
61. A communications base station comprising the communications apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 22.
62. A marine safety system comprising the communications system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 60.
63. A communications system comprising: a processing resource; a personal area network communications module coupled to the processing resource; and a portable communications device; wherein the processing resource is arranged to monitor, when in use, the personal area network communications module and determine when communication between the personal area network communications module and the portable communications device is lost.
64. A method of supporting a personal area network, the method comprising: providing a first personal area network communications module; providing a second personal area network communications module; arranging the first and second personal area network communication modules to support a common personal area network in respect of voice communications.
65. A method of generating an alert, the method comprising: supporting a personal area network in accordance with the method of Claim 64; providing a portable communications device capable of communicating with the first personal area network communications device; and determining when communication between the first personal area network communications module and the portable communications device is lost.
66. A communications apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
67. A communications system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
68. A method of supporting a personal area network substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
69. A method of generating an alert substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.