Patents by Inventor Charles B. Harmke

Charles B. Harmke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9232366
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a dual-watch collar-wearable communication device. One embodiment takes the form of a system that includes left-side and right-side audio speakers, a microphone, left-side and right-side push-to-talk (PTT) buttons and a controller programmed to carry out a set of functions. The set of functions include routing audio received via a first channel to the left-side audio speaker, routing audio received via a second channel to the right-side audio speaker, routing audio received via the microphone via the first channel when the left-side PTT button is actuated, and routing audio received via the microphone via the second channel when the right-side PTT button is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Charlier, Christopher A. Evans, Charles B. Harmke, Chi T Tran
  • Patent number: 8909173
    Abstract: An interface (100) is provided between an accessory (102) and a radio (104) to enable three functions over a single signal line (140) thereby minimizing pin count in a connector (112). The functions of accessory detect, one-wire memory and accessory PTT press are controlled over the single signal line (140) through the use of two comparators (116, 118) and two voltage dividers (106, 108, 110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles B. Harmke
  • Publication number: 20140004807
    Abstract: An interface (100) is provided between an accessory (102) and a radio (104) to enable three functions over a single signal line (140) thereby minimizing pin count in a connector (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Charles B. Harmke
  • Patent number: 8271037
    Abstract: A method (500) and system (100) of sensing the position of an audio accessory (102) having at least a microphone (103) can include a sensor (104 and/or 106) for detecting one among a plurality of positions of the audio accessory and a processor (118) programmed to equalize an audio input from the microphone based on which one among the plurality of positions was detected. The sensor can be a thermal sensor, an optical sensor, or a proximity sensor. The audio accessory can be a remote speaker/microphone accessory. Among the plurality of positions that can be detected can include a Mouth Reference Point (MRP) or a Shoulder position. The processor can be further programmed to automatically equalize (508) a microphone input audio based on one of the plurality of positions detected. The system can also be programmed to automatically equalize (512) when a push-to-talk activation occurs at the audio accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles B. Harmke
  • Publication number: 20080207264
    Abstract: A method (500) and system (100) of sensing the position of an audio accessory (102) having at least a microphone (103) can include a sensor (104 and/or 106) for detecting one among a plurality of positions of the audio accessory and a processor (118) programmed to equalize an audio input from the microphone based on which one among the plurality of positions was detected. The sensor can be a thermal sensor, an optical sensor, or a proximity sensor. The audio accessory can be a remote speaker/microphone accessory. Among the plurality of positions that can be detected can include a Mouth Reference Point (MRP) or a Shoulder position. The processor can be further programmed to automatically equalize (508) a microphone input audio based on one of the plurality of positions detected. The system can also be programmed to automatically equalize (512) when a push-to-talk activation occurs at the audio accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventor: Charles B. Harmke