Wireless communication system for use by teams

• US 9,071,901 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bruce Black
• Original Assignee: Bruce Black
• Inventors: Black, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Sorowar, Golam
• Application Number:
  US13/593,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20130052943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 340/384.72, 340/573.3, 340/555, 340/539.1, 340/573.1, 340/904, 370/349, 370/449, 370/392, 381/103, 381/11, 381/302, 381/312, 381/315, 381/334, 381/370, 381/380, 381/381, 381/57, 381/58, 381/71.6, 381/73.1, 455/3.06, 455/344, 455/39, 455 411- 413, 455/519, 455/556.1, 455/569.1, 455/66.1, 455/99
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/08 Trunked mobile radio systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless communication system comprises a first wireless communication device for a first team member, and a second wireless communication device for a second team member. The first wireless communication device comprises a microphone and a transmitter for transmitting an oral message via a first wireless communication protocol. The second wireless communication device comprises a main transceiver, a headset, and a support for mounting the main transceiver to the second team member remotely from the headset. The main transceiver receives the oral message from the first wireless communication device via the first communication protocol and retransmits the oral message via a second wireless communication protocol to the headset for generating audio corresponding to the oral message. The second wireless communication protocol operates at a lower power than the first wireless communication protocol, and the first communication protocol operates over a longer range than second wireless communication protocol.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system for use by members of a team, the wireless communication system comprising:

(a) a first wireless communication device for a first team member, the first wireless communication device comprising;

(i) a microphone for enabling the first team member to input an oral message; and

(ii) a transmitter for transmitting the oral message via a first Wireless communication protocol; and

(b) a second wireless communication device for a second team member, the second wireless communication device comprising;

(i) a main transceiver for receiving the oral message from the first wireless communication device via the first wireless communication protocol and for retransmitting the oral message via a second wireless communication protocol;

(ii) a wearable audio device comprising a receiver for receiving the oral message from the main transceiver via the second wireless communication protocol, and at least one speaker in communication with the receiver for generating audio corresponding to the oral message, wherein the speaker is mounted to the wearable audio device so as to be spaced apart from an ear of the second team member such that the second team member is able to hear ambient sound in addition to the oral message; and

(iii) a support for mounting the main transceiver to the second team member in a location physically remote from the wearable audio device;

(c) wherein the second wireless communication protocol operates at a lower power than the first wireless communication protocol, and wherein the first communication protocol operates over a longer range than second wireless communication protocol;

(d) wherein the wearable audio device of the second wireless communication device comprises a transmitter and a microphone in communication with the transmitter for enabling the second team member to send an outgoing oral message to the main transceiver via the second communication protocol, and wherein the main transceiver is configured to retransmit the outgoing oral message to another wireless communication device via the first wireless communication protocol; and

(e) wherein the second wireless communication device further comprises a stick trigger mountable to a hockey stick, and wherein the stick trigger is in communication with the main transceiver such that actuating the stick trigger enables transmission of the outgoing oral message.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the stick trigger includes a but end trigger mountable to a butt end of the hockey stick for slidable movement along the hockey stick such that pushing the butt end trigger longitudinally inward toward the hockey stick enables transmission of the outgoing oral message.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the stick trigger includes a push button mountable to a shaft of the hockey stick, the push button being depressible in a radial direction transverse to the hockey stick shaft such that depressing the push button enables transmission of the outgoing oral message.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the stick trigger is manufactured integrally with the hockey stick.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the wearable audio device is a headset mountable to a helmet.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the wearable audio device comprises epaulet speakers.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication protocol operates at a power of less than about 3-milliwatts.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 7, wherein the second wireless communication protocol operates over a maximum range of less than about 10-meters.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol operates over a range of at least about 50 meters.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 9, wherein the first wireless communication protocol operates at a minimum power of at least about 50-milliwatts.

11. A wireless communication system for use by members of a team, the wireless communication system comprising:

(a) a first wireless communication device for a team leader, the first wireless communication device comprising;

(i) a microphone for enabling the team leader to input an oral message; and

(ii) a transmitter for transmitting the oral message via a first wireless communication protocol;

(b) a plurality of second wireless communication devices, each of the second wireless communication devices being usable by a respective team member and comprising;

(i) a main transceiver for receiving the oral message from the first wireless communication device via the first wireless communication protocol and for retransmitting the oral message via a second wireless communication protocol;

(ii) a wearable audio device comprising a receiver for receiving the oral message from the main transceiver via the second wireless communication protocol, and at least one speaker in communication with the receiver for generating audio corresponding to the oral message, wherein the speaker is mounted to the wearable audio device so as to be spaced apart from an ear of the respective team member such that the respective team member is able to hear ambient sound in addition to the oral message; and

(iii) a support for mounting the main transceiver to the respective team member in a location physically remote from the wearable audio device; and

(c) at least one scanner for detecting team members within a detection area, and wherein the first wireless communication device transmits the oral message to team members located outside the detection area and not team members located within the detection area;

(d) wherein the second wireless communication protocol operates at a lower power than the first wireless communication protocol, and wherein the first communication protocol operates over a longer range than second wireless communication protocol; and

(e) wherein the first wireless communication device comprises a group routing controller for selectively transmitting the oral message to at least one of the second wireless communication devices.

12. The wireless communication system of claim 11, wherein the group routing controller includes a group selection actuator for selectively transmitting the oral message to at least one group of the second wireless communication devices.

13. The wireless communication system of claim 11, wherein the group routing controller includes a plurality of group selection actuators for selectively transmitting the oral message to a plurality of groups of the second wireless communication devices.

14. A wireless communication device for use by a team member, the wireless communication device comprising:

(a) a main transceiver for receiving an incoming oral message from another wireless communication device via a first wireless communication protocol and for retransmitting the oral message via a second wireless communication protocol;

(b) a wearable audio device comprising a receiver for receiving the oral message from the main transceiver via the second wireless communication protocol, and at least one speaker in communication with the receiver for generating audio corresponding to the oral message, wherein the speaker is mounted to the wearable audio device so as to be spaced apart from an ear of the team member such that the team member can hear ambient sounds in addition to the oral message; and

(c) a support for mounting, the main transceiver to the team member in a location physically remote from the wearable audio device;

(d) wherein the second wireless communication protocol operates at a lower power than the first wireless communication protocol, and wherein the first communication protocol operates over a longer range than second wireless communication protocol;

(e) wherein the wearable audio device comprises a transmitter and a microphone in communication with the transmitter for enabling the team member to send an outgoing oral message to the main transceiver via the second communication protocol, and wherein the main transceiver is configured to retransmit the outgoing oral message to at least one other wireless communication device via the first wireless communication protocol; and

(f) a stick trigger mountable to a hockey stick, wherein the stick trigger is in communication with the main transceiver such that actuating the stick trigger enables transmission of the outgoing oral message.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the support comprises:

(a) a containment receptacle for receiving the main transceiver;

(b) a mounting plate for supporting the containment receptacle on clothing worn by the team member;

(c) a first fastener for mounting the containment receptacle to the mounting plate; and

(d) a second fastener for mounting the containment receptacle to the mounting plate.