Position reporting microphone

Abstract

A position reporting microphone, adapted for use in an existing communication system is disclosed. The position reporting microphone communicatively networks with the existing communication system channels to send and receive information such as for example audio, position, and/or identification information regarding the position reporting microphone.

87 . A position reporting microphone, comprising:
 a) a speaker-microphone set;   b) a position acquisition controller, adapted to be in electrical communication with the speaker-microphone set;   c) a data manager, adapted to be in electrical communication with the position acquisition controller, wherein the data manager is further adapted to process position and identification information into a digital format, wherein the data manager has a data manger output;   d) a bypass data modem, adapted to receive the data manager output of the data manager, wherein the data modem is disposed on an existing two-way radio, wherein the existing two-way radio is external to the position reporting microphone.   
     
     
         88 . The position reporting microphone of  claim 87 , wherein the data manager output is adapted to provide a baseband output suitable to modulate an RF carrier waveform. 
     
     
         89 . The position reporting microphone of  claim 88 , wherein the baseband output comprises a signal having a portion of information selected from the group consisting of:
 a) a portion of audio data;   b) a portion of position data, or;   c) a portion of identification data.   
     
     
         90 . The position reporting microphone of  claim 89 , wherein the data manager is adapted to process a baseband audio output signal such that the data manager output is adapted to reflect the portion of information selected from the group of  claim 89 . 
     
     
         91 . The position reporting microphone of  claim 90 , wherein the data manager output is adapted to modulate an RF carrier waveform. 
     
     
         92 . A position reporting microphone, comprising:
 a) a speaker-microphone set, comprising:
 (A) a speaker element operatively coupled to a microphone element; 
 (B) a PTT circuit member, electrically connected to the microphone element, wherein the PTT circuit member is adapted to electrically activate the microphone element; 
   b) a position acquisition controller, operatively connected to the speaker-microphone set, comprising:
 (C) a position information receptor, adapted to receive positioning data from at least one external transponder system; 
 (D) a signal converter, operatively coupled to the position information receptor, wherein the signal converter converts the positioning data received by the position information receptor into a quantity of positioning digital data, and; 
   c) a data manager element electrically coupled to the position acquisition controller, wherein the data manager is adapted to parse the quantity of positioning digital data into a digital format suitable for use by a data modem, wherein the data modem is disposed on an existing two-way radio, wherein the existing two-way radio is external to the position reporting microphone.   
     
     
         93 . The position reporting microphone of  claim 92 , wherein the data manager element is adapted to communicate data to a data converter or optionally to a data modem. 
     
     
         94 . The position reporting microphone of  claim 93 , wherein the position information receptor comprises a GPS antenna comprising a dielectric disposed between a ground conductive plate and a radiation patch plate. 
     
     
         95 . A system for communicating information in a wireless network between at least one user and a communication system, comprising:
 b) a position reporting microphone, comprising:
 i) a speaker-microphone set, comprising:
 (A) a speaker element operatively coupled to a microphone element; 
 (B) a PTT circuit member, electrically connected to the microphone element, wherein the PTT circuit member is adapted to electrically activate the microphone element; 
 
 ii) a position acquisition controller, operatively connected to the speaker-microphone set, comprising:
 (A) a position information receptor, adapted to receive positioning data from at least one external transponder system; 
 (B) a signal converter, operatively coupled to the position information receptor, wherein the signal converter converts the positioning data received by the position information receptor into a quantity of positioning digital data; 
 
 iii) a data manager element electrically coupled to the position acquisition controller, wherein the data manager is adapted to parse the quantity of positioning digital data into a digital format suitable for use by a baseband audio signal processor, and; 
 iv) a baseband audio signal processor element, electrically coupled to the data manager element, adapted to receive the suitably formatted quantity of positioning digital data, wherein the baseband audio signal processor element is adapted to generate a composite signal, wherein the baseband audio signal processor element is disposed on an existing two-way radio, wherein the existing two-way radio is external to the position reporting microphone. 
   
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 95 , wherein the data manager is further operatively coupled to an identification data element, wherein the identification data element is adapted to provide specific identification data for a particular position reporting microphone. 
     
     
         97 . The system of  claim 96 , wherein the data manager is operatively coupled to a data converter element, wherein the data converter element is adapted to convert digital data into baseband audio signals. 
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the composite signal generated by the baseband audio signal processor element comprises audio and position data. 
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the composite signal generated by the baseband audio signal processor element further comprises an identification signal. 
     
     
         100 . The system of  claim 99 , wherein the position reporting microphone further comprises a rechargeable power supply operatively associated therewith. 
     
     
         101 . The system of  claim 100 , wherein the position information receptor comprises a GPS antenna. 
     
     
         102 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein the GPS antenna further comprises a ground conductive plate, operatively coupled to a radiation patch plate, and a dielectric portion, disposed between the ground conductive plate and the radiation patch plate. 
     
     
         103 . The system of  claim 102 , wherein the GPS antenna is disposed on a printed circuit board of approximately square shape. 
     
     
         104 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the printed circuit board is a reflector element for the GPS antenna. 
     
     
         105 . The system of  claim 95 , wherein the position reporting microphone is wirelessly connected to the baseband audio signal processor element disposed on the existing two-way radio. 
     
     
         106 . The system of  claim 104 , wherein the position reporting microphone is wirelessly connected to the baseband audio signal processor element disposed on the existing two-way radio.