Helmet-Mounted Headset System for Hands-Free Group Call Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication solutions for outdoor activities, such as two-way radios, face challenges with range, weight, battery life, and ease of use while wearing helmets and gloves, and they often fail to provide seamless communication and media playback.
Innovation Solution
A headset system comprising a pair of headphones designed to fit inside a helmet, paired with a companion application on a connected device, allowing users to establish call sessions with selected group members via single user input without removing the helmet or handling the device, utilizing cloud-based, mesh Bluetooth, or FM communication features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two-way radios are used for outdoor activities, then communication capability is provided, but range, weight, and battery life are problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the communication functionality with a smartphone device, merging the two-way radio function with a more versatile platform that has longer battery life and additional features. The smartphone serves as the communication device while the helmet-mounted unit provides the specialized outdoor communication interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a smartphone that can perform multiple functions including communication, media playback, and navigation, replacing the dedicated two-way radio with a multi-functional device that better addresses the needs of outdoor enthusiasts.
2Reliability
If two-way radios are used for outdoor activities, then communication capability is provided, but they are difficult to operate while wearing a helmet and gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary interface on the helmet that mediates between the user's gloved hands and the communication controls. This interface allows operation without removing gloves or helmet, making the system easier to operate in outdoor conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables hands-free operation through the helmet-mounted interface, allowing the user to communicate without manually handling the device while wearing gloves, thus serving the user's need for easy operation in outdoor conditions.
3Strength
If helmets with integral headsets are used, then protection is provided, but communication with group members remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication function from the helmet structure, using a separate helmet-mounted unit that interfaces with a smartphone. This allows the helmet to maintain its protective function while adding communication capability through an external but integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet-mounted unit serves multiple functions including communication interface, media control, and safety features, making the helmet system more versatile while maintaining protection and improving communication ease.
4Adaptability or versatility
If media player and mobile device are used while engaging in outdoor activities, then entertainment is provided, but operation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the media player functionality with the communication system, combining entertainment and communication controls in a single helmet-mounted interface. This integration allows users to control both media playback and communication through the same hands-free interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The helmet-mounted unit serves as a universal control interface for both communication and media playback, allowing users to perform multiple functions without handling separate devices, thus improving operation ease while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a headset system for establishing a call session between a selected plurality of users. The headset system comprises a pair of headphones worn by an end-user, and providing audio features for the user, the pair of headphones shaped to substantially fit inside a helmet. The headset system also comprises a companion application running on the end-user's connected device and connected to the pair of headphones, in which the companion application is used for setting up a group consisting of a selected plurality of users; in which the end-user, via a single user input, is able to establish a call session through the connected device between the selected plurality of users without having to take the helmet off and without handling the connected device.