Importance

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Abstract

A portable communication and audio system includes a radio telephone for receiving a first audio signal and transmitting a corresponding first radio signal through a transmitter to another location, and for receiving a second radio signal through a receiver and converting it to a second audio signal. An audio device provides a third audio signal. A microphone receives the first audio signal. A headset with first and second speakers is provided for selectively listening to the second or the third audio signal. A user-operated switch selectively disables the first speaker in a first state or the microphone in a second state. A state-indicating apparatus produces a signal indicating the state of the user-operated switch. A control apparatus, responsive to the state-indicating apparatus, enables telephone usage by connecting the microphone to the transmitter and connecting the second speaker to the receiver when the user-operated switch is in the first state, and connects the first and second speakers to receive the third audio signal when the user-operated switch is in the second state. The system preferably includes a pivotable boom depending from the headset, with the microphone being located on the boom. The audio device can be separate from the radio telephone. The system preferably includes a momentary, user-controlled switch and control apparatus for implementing a control function for a selected one of the radio telephone and the audio device.

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First Claim