Abstract: A communications headset having an antenna on each earpiece and having an RF switch for determining which antenna is receiving the superior signal and selecting that signal for amplification and distribution to headset speakers. A cable, supported and secured to a headband of the headset, connects the two earpieces for signal and power transfer. An illustrated embodiment has a transceiver and a speaker in an earpiece, with the RF switch, switching logic, and audio processor in one earpiece. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention. The RF switch selects the superior signal responsive to signal strength, signal to noise ratio, and/or similar figures of merit. Monitoring for signal superiority is at a high bandwidth to prevent granularity in the switching becoming noticeable to the user. The antenna corresponding to the superior signal is also used for transmitting from the headset.

Abstract: A communications headset having multiple modes of communication, including DECT7 wideband and narrow band, Bluetooth®, two-way radio connectivity, and USB connectivity. The system includes a DECT7 transceiver, a Bluetooth® transceiver, a microcontroller, and a digital signal processor (DSP), all connected on a bus. The DSP and a portion of the microcontroller can be reprogrammed via signals through the USB port or via signals from the Bluetooth® transceiver. The reprogramming signals originate from a computer that is temporarily linked to the headset via USB cable or Bluetooth®. The system provides listen-through capability, enabling face-to-face conversation while using DECT7 communications. The DECT7 communications have a noise gate that shuts off all noise when there is no voice signal present. The headset provides substantial hearing protection via passive and active noise cancellation and includes a sound pressure dosimeter.

Abstract: A communications headset having an antenna on each earpiece and having an RF switch for determining which antenna is receiving the superior signal and selecting that signal for amplification and distribution to headset speakers. A cable, supported and secured to a headband of the headset, connects the two earpieces for signal and power transfer. An illustrated embodiment has a transceiver and a speaker in an earpiece, with the RF switch, switching logic, and audio processor in one earpiece. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention. The RF switch selects the superior signal responsive to signal strength, signal to noise ratio, and/or similar figures of merit. Monitoring for signal superiority is at a high bandwidth to prevent granularity in the switching becoming noticeable to the user. The antenna corresponding to the superior signal is also used for transmitting from the headset.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint preventing rotation of the ball about the axis of radial symmetry of the socket and restricting rotation of the ball about both axes orthogonal to the axis of radial symmetry to a predetermined angular value. The ball is irregular in shape and has grooves that receive ridges in the socket to accomplish the axial rotational restriction. The interaction of socket shape with ball shape accomplishes the rotational restrictions about the orthogonal axes. An exemplary use is for joining headset ear cups to headset side pieces to provide flexibility to accommodate a wide range of head shapes and sizes. The ball is preferably made of one piece with the headset side pieces and the socket is preferably made of one piece with the shell of the ear cup. Embodiments for head-mounted headsets and helmet-mounted headsets are disclosed.

Abstract: A communications headset having multiple modes of communication, including DECT7 wideband and narrow band, Bluetooth®, two-way radio connectivity, and USB connectivity. The system includes a DECT7 transceiver, a Bluetooth® transceiver, a microcontroller, and a digital signal processor (DSP), all connected on a bus. The DSP and a portion of the microcontroller can be reprogrammed via signals through the USB port or via signals from the Bluetooth® transceiver. The reprogramming signals originate from a computer that is temporarily linked to the headset via USB cable or Bluetooth®. The system provides listen-through capability, enabling face-to-face conversation while using DECT7 communications. The DECT7 communications have a noise gate that shuts off all noise when there is no voice signal present. The headset provides substantial hearing protection via passive and active noise cancellation and includes a sound pressure dosimeter.

Abstract: A communications headset having an antenna on each earpiece and having an RF switch for determining which antenna is receiving the superior signal and selecting that signal for amplification and distribution to headset speakers. A cable, supported and secured to a headband of the headset, connects the two earpieces for signal and power transfer. An illustrated embodiment has a transceiver and a speaker in an earpiece, with the RF switch, switching logic, and audio processor in one earpiece. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention. The RF switch selects the superior signal responsive to signal strength, signal to noise ratio, and/or similar figures of merit. Monitoring for signal superiority is at a high bandwidth to prevent granularity in the switching becoming noticeable to the user. The antenna corresponding to the superior signal is also used for transmitting from the headset.

Abstract: A communications headset having an antenna on each earpiece and having an RF switch for determining which antenna is receiving the superior signal and selecting that signal for amplification and distribution to headset speakers. A cable, supported and secured to a headband of the headset, connects the two earpieces for signal and power transfer. An illustrated embodiment has a transceiver and a speaker in an earpiece, with the RF switch, switching logic, and audio processor in one earpiece. Other configurations are within the scope of the invention. The RF switch selects the superior signal responsive to signal strength, signal to noise ratio, and/or similar figures of merit. Monitoring for signal superiority is at a high bandwidth to prevent granularity in the switching becoming noticeable to the user. The antenna corresponding to the superior signal is also used for transmitting from the headset.

Abstract: A flexible and resilient covering, or ruggedizer, for an ear cup of a communications headset that provides noise reduction, additional water resistance, additional dust resistance, flotation of the entire headset, and improved mechanical shock resistance. The ruggedizer is preferably made of silicone rubber. Additionally, the ruggedizer may be made in various bright colors, each corresponding to a sub net of the communications network in which the headset is used, to make for easy identification of the headset's purpose. The ruggedizer has openings for headgear couplings, such as a head strap, a DC charging port, forward-facing microphone, an indicator light, and a base for a boom microphone. The ruggedizer has conformal portions over buttons and switches. The internal surface of the ruggedizer may be grooved to indicate cutting lines for adding optional equipment connections. Ruggedizers are preferably provided pairs (left and right) that are not identical.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint preventing rotation of the ball about the axis of radial symmetry of the socket and restricting rotation of the ball about both axes orthogonal to the axis of radial symmetry to a predetermined angular value. The ball is irregular in shape and has grooves that receive ridges in the socket to accomplish the axial rotational restriction. The interaction of socket shape with ball shape accomplishes the rotational restrictions about the orthogonal axes. An exemplary use is for joining headset ear cups to headset side pieces to provide flexibility to accommodate a wide range of head shapes and sizes. The ball is preferably made of one piece with the headset side pieces and the socket is preferably made of one piece with the shell of the ear cup. Embodiments for head-mounted headsets and helmet-mounted headsets are disclosed.

Abstract: Headphones with acoustically resistant ear cups, an external noise sensor mounted thereto that monitors ambient noise, and internal sensors to monitor noise within each ear cup are disclosed. A processing system monitors the external and interior sound detected by the sensors and compares the level inside the ear cups with the detected level of ambient noise. It activates a transducer such as a vibrator, buzzer, or light as needed to indicate when the level within the ear cups has exceeded the predetermined criteria thereby indicating improper fit of the headphones. Alternative embodiments include wirelessly communicating the collected data to an auxiliary computer for remote data collection, storage and monitoring. The headphones may also provide a sound dosimeter; bandpass filtering; automatic noise reduction with feed forward and/or feed back; wireless voice and data communication; and a voice activated switch, all using elements of the headphone fit detection circuitry.

Abstract: Headphones with acoustically resistant ear cups, an external noise sensor mounted thereto that monitors ambient noise, and internal sensors to monitor noise within each ear cup are disclosed. A processing system monitors the external and interior sound detected by the sensors and compares the level inside the ear cups with the detected level of ambient noise. It activates a transducer such as a vibrator, buzzer, or light as needed to indicate when the level within the ear cups has exceeded the predetermined criteria thereby indicating improper fit of the headphones. Alternative embodiments include wirelessly communicating the collected data to an auxiliary computer for remote data collection, storage and monitoring. The headphones may also provide a sound dosimeter; bandpass filtering; automatic noise reduction with feed forward and/or feed back; wireless voice and data communication; and a voice activated switch, all using elements of the headphone fit detection circuitry.

Abstract: A hook having a fastener receiver with an axis of radial symmetry and two opposing edges defining a linear axis, where a support extends from the first edge and is angled away by a first angle from a midline plane defined by the linear axis and the axis of radial symmetry and a retainer extends from the second edge and is angled away from the midline plane by a second angle, preferably equal to the first angle and oppositely directed. The hanger hook is preferably of one piece construction but a two-piece interlocking version may also be made. Direct access to the fastener receiver is provided for tools and fasteners. The hanger hook retains equipment against 9 G horizontal accelerations and 3 G vertical accelerations.

Abstract: The vehicle crew communication system provides up to sixty wireless headsets that can be used with one base station, a range of 1600 feet from the base station for operation of the headsets, full duplex operation communication over digitally encrypted DECT protocol links from one base station to a plurality of headsets, pairing of each headset to a particular base station, use of wireless technology inside and outside of the vehicle, automatic channel and link selection to transparently avoid interfered-with channels and links, removal of the need to manually select a channel on the headset, and the combination of the noise-cancelling microphone with noise threshold, noise attenuation, and line echo cancellation tuned to intercom parameters. The invention may be used with or without a vehicle.

Abstract: The vehicle crew communication system provides up to sixty wireless headsets that can be used with one base station, a range of 1600 feet from the base station for operation of the headsets, full duplex operation communication over digitally encrypted DECT protocol links from one base station to a plurality of headsets, pairing of each headset to a particular base station, use of wireless technology inside and outside of the vehicle, automatic channel and link selection to transparently avoid interfered-with channels and links, removal of the need to manually select a channel on the headset, and the combination of the noise-cancelling microphone with noise threshold, noise attenuation, and line echo cancellation tuned to intercom parameters. The invention may be used with or without a vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless intercom has a releasably coupled wired interface to an external aircraft communications socket and the wireless intercom is coupled to the aircraft proximate the socket, preferably in a custom bag hung by a releasable mechanical coupling to the aircraft. The wireless intercom provides signal communication and management between a ground crew tug driver headset and the pilot via the socket and, in various embodiments, to a trainer headset and/or to one or more wing walker headsets. If the wireless intercom loses communications with the tug operator headset during ground operations, an alarm is sent to the pilot via the socket. The wireless intercom, in alternate embodiments, enforces a priority scheme for calls going to one or more of the headsets. The wireless intercom and headsets are powered by rechargeable batteries. Each embodiment includes a customized weather-resistant case for holding at least the other elements of that embodiment.

Abstract: A wireless intercom has a releasably coupled wired interface to an external aircraft communications socket and the wireless intercom is coupled to the aircraft proximate the socket, preferably in a custom bag hung by a releasable mechanical coupling to the aircraft. The wireless intercom provides signal communication and management between a ground crew tug driver headset and the pilot via the socket and, in various embodiments, to a trainer headset and/or to one or more wing walker headsets. If the wireless intercom loses communications with the tug operator headset during ground operations, an alarm is sent to the pilot via the socket. The wireless intercom, in alternate embodiments, enforces a priority scheme for calls going to one or more of the headsets. The wireless intercom and headsets are powered by rechargeable batteries. Each embodiment includes a customized weather-resistant case for holding at least the other elements of that embodiment.

Abstract: The improved vehicle crew communication system provides an increase in the number of wireless headsets that can be used with one base station, an increase range from the vehicle for operation of said headsets, full duplex operation communication over digitally encrypted DECT protocol links from one base station to a plurality of headsets, pairing of each headset to a particular base station, use of wireless technology inside and outside of the vehicle, automatic channel and link selection to transparently avoid interfered-with channels and links, removal of the need to manually select a channel on the headset, and the combination of the noise-cancelling microphone with noise threshold, noise attenuation, and line echo cancellation tuned to intercom parameters.

Abstract: A hook having a fastener receiver with an axis of radial symmetry and two opposing edges defining a linear axis, where a support extends from the first edge and is angled away by a first angle from a midline plane defined by the linear axis and the axis of radial symmetry and a retainer extends from the second edge and is angled away from the midline plane by a second angle, preferably equal to the first angle and oppositely directed. The hanger hook is preferably of one piece construction but a two-piece interlocking version may also be made. Direct access to the fastener receiver is provided for tools and fasteners. The hanger hook retains equipment against 9 G horizontal accelerations and 3 G vertical accelerations.

Abstract: The improved vehicle crew communication system provides an increase in the number of wireless headsets that can be used with one base station, an increase range from the vehicle for operation of said headsets, full duplex operation communication over digitally encrypted DECT protocol links from one base station to a plurality of headsets, pairing of each headset to a particular base station, use of wireless technology inside and outside of the vehicle, automatic channel and link selection to transparently avoid interfered-with channels and links, removal of the need to manually select a channel on the headset, and the combination of the noise-cancelling microphone with noise threshold, noise attenuation, and line echo cancellation tuned to intercom parameters.