Radio system with universal communication interface

Abstract

A radio system comprises a radio ( 1 ) having a transmit mode activated by a press to talk (PTT) switch ( 16 ) mounted on a universal communication interface ( 12 ) for mounting on a radio interface ( 6 ) associated with the radio ( 1 ). The radio interface ( 6 ) may or may not form part of the radio ( 1 ) and a plurality of radio interfaces may be provided for different applications, such that a standard universal communication interface ( 12 ) can be used with different types of equipment.

1 . A radio system comprising: 
 a radio,    a switch unit adapted to be connected to the radio; and    a PTT switch forming part of the switch unit and arranged so that, when operated, it allows a user to transmit over a first communications system using the radio,    characterised in that the switch unit is designed to be releasably connected to the radio and includes a second PTT switch, and in that the system includes means for connecting the second PTT switch so that, when operated, it allows the user to transmit over a second communications system.    
   
   
       2 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the switch unit contains means for preventing cross-communication of information between the first and second communication systems.  
   
   
       3 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the switch unit is designed to be supported on the radio by a releasable interface arrangement.  
   
   
       4 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the means for connecting the second PTT switch to transmit over the second communications system includes a wire or optical link.  
   
   
       5 . A radio system according to  claim 1  comprising a number of radios and a number of interchangeable switch units, some of which have a second PTT switch and some of which do not.  
   
   
       6 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in addition by an interface unit adapted to be connected to the switch unit and, by a flexible connection, to the radio.  
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 3  characterised in that the interface unit is arranged to be worn by the operator.  
   
   
       8 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the radio is a personal role radio arranged to be worn by the operator.  
   
   
       9 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the radio is arranged to be mounted on a vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in that said radio is a personal role radio and said second communication system is a network radio system.  
   
   
       11 . A system as claimed in  claim 10  characterised in that the second communication system is a combat network radio system.  
   
   
       12 . A radio system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the switch unit has a connection for an operator headset.  
   
   
       13 . A radio system according to  claim 1  further characterised by a wired remote PTT module having a PTT switch which module is small relative to the switch unit, the switch unit having a connection for the wire of the remote PTT switch so that the function of the PTT switch of the switch unit can be performed remotely.  
   
   
       14 . A radio system according to  claim 1  further characterised by a cordless remote PTT module comprising a PTT switch, the remote module comprising a short range, relative to the radio, transmitter, the switch unit comprising a receiver for receiving signals from the remote module to remotely activate the function of the PTT switch of the switch unit.  
   
   
       15 . A radio system according to  claim 14  characterised in that the short range transmitter is a radio transmitter.  
   
   
       16 . A radio system according to  claim 15  characterised in that the short range transmitter is an infra-red transmitter.  
   
   
       17 . A radio system according to  claim 14  characterised in that a signal transmitted from the remote module comprises a code and the receiver of the switch unit is responsive to the code.  
   
   
       18 . A radio system according to  claim 17  characterised in that the receiver of the switch unit is responsive to a plurality of codes associated with different remote modules.  
   
   
       19 . A radio system according to  claim 17  characterised in that the receiver has a learn mode in which it can learn the codes of a remote module.  
   
   
       20 . A radio system according to  claim 19  characterised in that the switch unit comprises a magnetically operated switch and the remote module comprises a magnet, the magnet and magnetically operated switch being arranged such that the magnetically operated switch is caused to adopt a learn mode position when the remote module including said magnet is held in an appropriate position relative to the magnetically sensitive switch, in which position activation of the PTT switch on the remote module causes the receiver to learn the code of the remote module  
   
   
       21 . A radio system according to  claim 20  characterised in that depressing the PTT switch on the remote module a number of times or for a period in excess of a predetermined period causes one or more codes to be removed from the receiver so that the receiver is no longer responsive to those codes.