Intrapersonal data communication system

Abstract

Intrapersonal communication systems and methods that provide an optical digital signal link between two or more local devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a first signal converter disposed at a first end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from a first local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. The system can include an optical connector having a non-contact portion configured to couple optical digital signals between the first signal converter and the optical digital signal link across a gap. The system can include a second signal converter disposed at a second end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from the second local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link.

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         12 . Mounting hardware for a helmet visualization system, the mounting hardware comprising:
 a mounting plate configured to operatively engage a helmet mount of the helmet;   an optical connector comprising a cavity in the mounting plate and a transparent window within the cavity;   a fiber optic cable having an end that is adjacent to the transparent window in the cavity of the optical connector such that an optical signal transmitted through the fiber optic cable passes through the transparent window;   wherein, when operatively engaged with the helmet mount, the optical connector is aligned with a corresponding optical connector on the helmet mount and the electrical connector is aligned with a corresponding electrical connector on the helmet mount.   
     
     
         13 . The mounting hardware of  claim 12 , wherein the end of the fiber optic cable is between 0.25 mm and 6 mm from an end of an optical digital signal link in the helmet mount. 
     
     
         14 . The mounting hardware of  claim 12 , wherein the end of the fiber optic cable abuts the transparent window. 
     
     
         15 . The mounting hardware of  claim 12 , wherein the end of the fiber optic cable is compressed to decrease the cross-section of the fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         16 . The mounting hardware of  claim 12 , wherein the first cross-section has a diameter that is between 1 mm and 2 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The mounting hardware of  claim 12 , wherein the optical connector further comprises a seal which contacts a corresponding seal on the helmet mount when engaged with the helmet mount, wherein the contact between the mounting hardware seal and the helmet mount seal substantially prevents material from becoming lodged between the corresponding optical connectors. 
     
     
         18 . The mount interface of  claim 12 , wherein the fiber optic cable is configured to be bent at a radius between 2 mm and 20 mm and maintain integrity of data contained in the optical digital signal. 
     
     
         19 . The mounting hardware of  claim 12 , wherein the fiber optic cable comprises a multistrand fiber optic cable grouped tightly together and surrounded by a jacket, wherein each of the component multistrand fiber optic cables has a cross-section with a diameter that is less than 0.2 mm, and wherein a diameter of a cross-section of the fiber optic cable is less than 2 mm. 
     
     
         20 . An optical digital signal bridge for use in a headgear system to direct optical digital signals from a local device to a fiber optic bundle, the optical digital signal bridge comprising:
 a housing;   a cavity in the housing;   a transparent window within the cavity;   an optical element within the cavity, the optical element having an optical power greater than 0; and   a fiber optic bundle configured to focus an optical digital signal onto an end of the fiber optic bundle,   wherein a path of the fiber optic bundle within the housing changes direction by about 90 degrees, the fiber optic bundle having a bend radius of curvature of between 2 mm and 20 mm.   
     
     
         21 . The optical digital signal bridge of  claim 20 , wherein the fiber optic bundle is configured to be bent at a radius between 2 mm and 20 mm and maintain integrity of data contained in the optical digital signal. 
     
     
         22 . The optical digital signal bridge of  claim 20 , wherein the fiber optic bundle is configured to provide a transmittance rate of up to 5 Gbps.