3m Innovative Properties Company

Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc.

Paul D Henry

Michael J Pescetto

Jeffrey L Hamer

William P Atwood

Mark A Yoder

Yi-Chi Huang

David Lawrence Albean

Ravi Thomas

David M Lutgring

Cameron J Fackler

Michael C Leighton

James D Brown

Abel Gladstone Mangam

Oscar L Kårekull

Andreas T Andersson

William John Testin

Kevin E Nortrup

Kenneth J Helfrich

Michael D Landis

Joseph W Forler

David A Hotvet

Henrik J Sjöman

Vijay K Gidla

Magnus K Petersson

James L Fiocca

A short-range communication system is presented that includes a system control unit and a personal protective equipment device. The system control unit includes a network creator configured to create a short-range network on a wireless frequency, an interference detector configured to detect a device on an interfering frequency, and a control unit frequency hopper configured to, based on the detected device, scan a frequency range for an open frequency and switch the system control network to the open frequency. The personal protective equipment device includes a network joiner configured to join the short-range network and a device frequency hopper configured to switch the personal protective equipment device to the open frequency.

Personal protective equipment communication systems and methods

An in-ear hearing protection device is provided. The in-ear hearing protection device includes a microphone () configured to receive an ambient sound. The in-ear hearing protection device also includes a processor () configured to perform an attenuation function on the received ambient sound to provide an attenuated sound. The in-ear hearing protection device also includes a speaker () configured to broadcast the attenuated sound. The in-ear hearing protection device also includes a communication module () configured to receive a second attenuation function detail from a second in-ear protection device. The processor is configured to calculate a first attenuation function detail and compare the first and second attenuation function details. The performed attenuation function is based on one of the first and second attenuation function details.

Coordinated dichotic sound compression

A hearing protection system is provided. The hearing protection system has a first active hearing protection system. The first active hearing protection system is level-dependent. The hearing protection system also has a second active hearing protection system. The second active hearing protection system is level-dependent. Each of the first and second active hearing protection systems are configured to operate in an independent mode and a dual-protection mode. A dual-protection mode level dependent function of the second active hearing protection system is different than an independent mode level dependent function.

Dual hearing protection system

Pair of in-ear hearing protectors

System control unit

Pair of in-ear electronic hearing protectors

A control unit for a worker wearing personal protective equipment is presented. The control unit includes a PPE network creator that, when activated, creates a network. The control unit also includes a PPE device identifier configured to detect a first PPE associated with the worker and a second PPE associated with the worker. The first PPE has a first speaker and a first microphone. The second PPE has a second speaker and a second microphone. The control unit also comprises a PPE network joiner that facilitates the first and second PPE joining the network. The control unit also comprises a preferred configuration selector that automatically selects a preferred speaker for the worker and a preferred microphone for the worker. The preferred speaker is the first or second speaker. The preferred microphone is the first or second microphone. The control unit also comprises a network communication component that automatically communicates a first device parameter settings to the first PPE and a second device parameter settings to the second PPE. The first and second device parameter settings are based on the selected preferred speaker and microphone.

Adaptive signal routing in a personal protective equipment network

Battery

A sound attenuating apparatus may include a replaceable sound attenuating device and an electronic receiver configured to mate with the replaceable sound attenuating device. The replaceable sound attenuating device may include a sound attenuating material having an embedded sensor element. The sensor element may have a property that corresponds to a type of replaceable sound attenuating device. The electronic receiver may detect the property of the sensor element. A computing device may determine the type of the replaceable sound attenuating device from the property of the sensor element and perform one or more operations based on the type of replaceable sound attenuating device, including audio control, safety warnings, personal attenuation rating determinations, and the like.

Replaceable sound attenuating device detection

Water resistant acoustic ports and electronic hearing protection devices incorporating such ports are described. More specifically, water proof acoustic ports that provide water protection for an internal sealed chamber by providing acoustically transparent inlets that are capable of withstanding external water pressure at given depth due to their volume relation to that of the internal chamber, as well as hearing protection devices incorporating such ports, are described.

Water resistant acoustic port in ear-mouthed hearing device

A passive interface for connecting an electronic memory device to an exterior circuit is provided. The passive interface includes a signal connection point, a power connection point and a ground connection point on an electronic memory device. A first passive component forms an electrical connection between the signal connection point and the power connection point. A second passive component forms an electrical connection between the power connection point and the ground connection point. And the power connection point receives a conditioned voltage signal through the electrical connection between the signal connection point and the power connection point. Such a passive interface can be used in a variety of devices, including headsets for intrinsically save applications.

Passive interface for an electronic memory device

A concha-fit electronic hearing protection device including an eartip and an earpiece body. When the device is fitted in the ear of a user, the eartip externally occludes the ear canal and the earpiece body internally occludes the eartip.

Concha-fit electronic hearing protection device

Growing community of inventors

Carmel, IN, United States of America

Paul D Henry