Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system for a helmet, comprising a docking station located in the rear portion of said helmet, and a detachable portion adapted to be connected to said helmet via said docking station, wherein said detachable portion comprises pressure-activated elements, which are located at a distance from the center of the rear portion of said helmet, such as to be easily reached by the fingers of the wearer.

Abstract: A user interface device for applying control signals to a communication system, comprising: at least one pressure-activated multidirectional tiltable/pushable plate with multiple pressureable areas, wherein each of said pressureable areas activates a corresponding pressure element that is located under said plate, wherein each activation of a specific pressure element defines an action which is respectively performed upon tilting-pressing of said plate towards the location of the respective pressure element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system for a helmet, comprising a docking station located in the rear portion of said helmet, and a detachable portion adapted to be connected to said helmet via said docking station, wherein said detachable portion comprises pressure-activated elements, which are located at a distance from the center of the rear portion of said helmet, such as to be easily reached by the fingers of the wearer.

Abstract: A communications system is configured to attach to a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell of the helmet. Components of the system are configured to extend through the openings of the helmet for detachably coupling the components to the helmet. The system can include a main communications module that includes electronic components and a control panel and the system can further include other audio components that include speakers and a microphone. The system also provides the ability to communicate with and/or operate as a digital media player, a radio tuner, a telephone, or a global positioning system (GPS) or another device using Bluetooth technology.

Abstract: An enhanced protective helmet includes in one embodiment an outer shell and a molded lining disposed within the outer shell and contoured to surround a human head. The helmet further includes an elongated antenna having a proximal end and a free end, the antenna being supported by the molded lining. The helmet includes a connection point which can be mounted to the molded lining or otherwise extend away from the proximal end of the antenna, the connection point communicatively connected to the proximal end of the antenna. The connection point receives a connection from a mobile communication device, thereby linking the mobile communication device and the antenna. The antenna is located at helmet location that is along one side of the helmet above a left or right ear of the user for optimizing antenna performance.

Abstract: A device for mounting a communication headset to a helmet includes a mounting panel having a seat in a front surface thereof that includes a set of electrical contacts and a guide, a printed circuit board 110 in electrical connection with the electrical contacts, and an elongated tongue affixed to the mounting panel. The tongue is configured for insertion between an inner shell and an outer shell of a protective helmet. Also, a wireless communication device can have such a tongue affixed to it. The tongue can be forked or otherwise arranged to have plural broad surfaces extending to a free end.

Abstract: An enhanced protective helmet includes in one embodiment an outer shell and a molded lining disposed within the outer shell and contoured to surround a human head. The helmet further includes an elongated antenna having a proximal end and a free end, the antenna being supported by the molded lining. The helmet includes a connection point which can be mounted to the molded lining or otherwise extend away from the proximal end of the antenna, the connection point communicatively connected to the proximal end of the antenna. The connection point receives a connection from a mobile communication device, thereby linking the mobile communication device and the antenna.

Abstract: An enhanced protective helmet includes in one embodiment an outer shell and a molded lining disposed within the outer shell and contoured to surround a human head. The helmet further includes an elongated antenna having a proximal end and a free end, the antenna being supported by the molded lining. The helmet includes a connection point which can be mounted to the molded lining or otherwise extend away from the proximal end of the antenna, the connection point communicatively connected to the proximal end of the antenna. The connection point receives a connection from a mobile communication device, thereby linking the mobile communication device and the antenna. The antenna is located at helmet location that is along one side of the helmet above a left or right ear of the user for optimizing antenna performance.

Abstract: A neckpad communications system for a helmet includes a neckpad body that includes coupling members for detachably coupling the neckpad body to a surface of the helmet. The system includes a communications unit having a first part that is disposed within and covered by the neckpad body and is configured to permit audio communication with another remote device and a second part including audio transducers located at least partially outside the neckpad body. The audio transducers are operatively connected to the communications unit and can include at least one speaker and a microphone. The neckpad body includes cushioning to allow it to be worn against a user's body and includes controls associated with the communications unit that are accessible exteriorly.

Abstract: A device for mounting a communication headset to a helmet includes a mounting panel having a seat in a front surface thereof that includes a set of electrical contacts and a guide, a printed circuit board 110 in electrical connection with the electrical contacts, and an elongated tongue affixed to the mounting panel. The tongue is configured for insertion between an inner shell and an outer shell of a protective helmet. Also, a wireless communication device can have such a tongue affixed to it. The tongue can be forked or otherwise arranged to have plural broad surfaces extending to a free end.

Abstract: A communications system is configured to attach to a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell of the helmet. Components of the system are configured to extend through the openings of the helmet for detachably coupling the components to the helmet. The system can include a main communications module that includes electronic components and a control panel and the system can further include other audio components that include speakers and a microphone. The system also provides the ability to communicate with and/or operate as a digital media player, a radio tuner, a telephone, or a global positioning system (GPS) or another device using Bluetooth technology.

Abstract: A communications system is configured to attach to a helmet that includes vent openings formed in an outer shell of the helmet. Components of the system are configured to extend through the openings of the helmet for detachably coupling the components to the helmet. The system can include a main communications module that includes electronic components and a control panel and the system can further include other audio components that include speakers and a microphone. The system also provides the ability to communicate with and/or operate as a digital media player, a radio tuner, a telephone, or a global positioning system (GPS) or another device using Bluetooth technology or other technology.

Abstract: Device for mounting a communication headset to helmets of the type having a first strap extending in front of an ear of a user, a second strap extending behind the ear, and a chin strap connectable to the first and second straps, for instance, sports helmets. The device includes a mounting panel having a seat that includes electrical contacts connected to a printed circuit board and a guide. A rear of the mounting panel spans a distance that overlaps the first second straps. A second surface also spans the distance that overlaps the first and second straps and is movable relative to the mounting panel. A clamp resiliently biases the second surface into contact with the rear surface of the mounting panel but is urgable so as to move the second surface away from the rear surface allowing the device to be fastened to or removed from the helmet.

Abstract: A dynamic noise suppression system for an optical microphone including an optical microphone having a light source illuminating an acoustically sensitive membrane reflecting light onto a photodetector and an input and an output, a logarithmic amplifier connected to the output of the optical microphone, a variable impedance connected between the output of the amplifier and the input to the optical microphone, the variable impedance receiving control signals from the output of the amplifier, the output of the optical microphone, or an external source.