The invention relates to a replaceable adaptor for attaching a headset device to a helmet, which comprises: (a) a lower portion at a lower level having a shape suitable to be accommodated within a helmet cavity at the helmet; and (b) an adaptor cavity which is adapted to accommodate said headset device; wherein when a need is arisen to attach another headset having a different shape or dimensions to a same helmet, or when a need is arisen to replace the helmet by another helmet having a cavity of different shape or dimensions, said adaptor is replaced accordingly.

A protective helmet includes a microphone and an electronic device for improving communication with the environment. The microphone is arranged on a supporting cage below a shell of the helmet and captures the sound waves that are generated by an organ of speech of the wearer of the helmet and propagate the sound waves in the area of the supporting cage.

A neckliner for a helmet incorporates a C-shaped body for fitting in the helmet around the back and sides of a neck of a wearer. The C-shaped body has a first end and a second end, a speaker for relaying sound to an ear of the wearer, a releasable fastener for releasably attaching the neckliner to the helmet, a first support portion and a second support portion. Each support portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first support portion is attached to the first end of the C-shaped body. The proximal end of the second support portion is attached to the second end of the C-shaped body. The speaker is situated in a first corner formed between the first end of the C-shaped body and the first support portion for placement proximal to a first ear of the wearer in use.

An active awareness control system and method for a helmet with a rigid shell that spatially divides a shell interior from a shell ambiance includes receiving at least one playback-sound signal, generating in the shell interior from the at least one playback-sound signal playback sound, and receiving and processing at least one ambient-sound signal representative of sound occurring in the shell ambience to detect the at least one desired-sound signal. The generation of the at least one playback sound is put on hold when the at least one desired-sound pattern is detected.

Active noise reduction systems and methods for a helmet with a rigid shell that spatially divides a shell interior from a shell ambiance include receiving at least one desired-sound signal representative of at least one desired sound pattern occurring in the shell ambience, and generating, based on the at least one desired-sound signal, anti-sound that is configured to interact with internal sound occurring in the shell interior through superposition. The internal sound includes first internal sound components and second internal sound components, the first internal sound components not corresponding to the at least one desired sound pattern and the second internal sound components corresponding to the at least one desired sound pattern. The anti-sound is further configured to attenuate the first internal sound components, and to amplify, not attenuate, or attenuate to a lesser degree than the first internal sound components the second internal sound components.

A helmet mounted communication system for use by teams includes a headset including any one of a speaker for projecting audio or a microphone for receiving audio, a mounting structure for mounting the headset in a helmet cavity of a helmet, and a biasing material between the headset and a cavity wall of the helmet cavity for floatably attaching the headset to the helmet in the helmet cavity.

An earmuffs system for noise reduction including an external microphone used in combination with active noise cancellation technology for the reduction of wind or other noises typically experienced while riding a vehicle such as a motorcycle, snow machine or ATV, the earmuffs system including a first earmuff including a first speaker and a first microphone therein; a second earmuff electrically coupled to the first ear muff, the second ear muff including a second speaker and a second microphone therein; noise cancellation circuitry for receiving first sounds from the first microphone and the second microphone and processing the first sounds by in part canceling the first sounds to form a first sound output that is provided from the first speaker and the second speaker; and a third microphone placed external to the first earmuff and to the second earmuff, the third microphone supplying second sounds for the first speaker and the second speaker to output as a second sound output without the second sounds undergoing noise cancellation processing.

A helmet configured to provide audio features for the user thereof and a method for the same. The helmet comprises a first communication interface for communications with an audio source. A first audio output is generated based on signal received via the first communication interface. A second communication interface for direct two-way wireless communications with at least one other user on an unlicensed frequency band is also provided, and a second audio output is generated based on signal received via the second communication interface. At least one audio output device is provided for audio output based on signals from the first and second communication interfaces. A user interface enables the user to control the audio features of the helmet. The helmet further comprises control apparatus configured to control the audio features based on user input via the user interface and to provide automated response to at least one predefined event.

A protective helmet includes a microphone and an electronic device for improving communication with the environment. The microphone is arranged on a supporting cage below a shell of the helmet and captures the sound waves that are generated by an organ of speech of the wearer of the helmet and propagate the sound waves in the area of the supporting cage.

A programmable electronic helmet and a method of using the helmet are provided. The programmable electronic helmet includes a hard frame strappable to a head of a user, at least one gyroscope, an accelerometer, a user interface, at least one camera positioned on the hard frame, a display positioned a location that is in the peripheral field of vision of the user, wherein the display is configured to communicate information to the user, and a wireless communication apparatus. The programmable electronic helmet further includes one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to analyze images captured by the at least one camera to approximate a location of one or more objects in an area surrounding the user, and a memory, coupled to the processor, configured to store data acquired by and sent to the programmable helmet.