# US 12,010,476 B2 · Communication system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,010,476 B2 - Document ID: US12010476B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/145,515 - Filed: 2022-12-22 - Published: 2023-04-20 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-26 - Assignees: Midland Radio Co tion - Applicants: Midland Radio Corporation - Inventors: Guy Raccah; William H Darden, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12010476B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/1016: {Earpieces of the intra-aural type} - H04R 1/105: {Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks (for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335)} - H04R 5/0335: {Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests (for monophonic headphones H04R1/105)} - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)} - H04R 2201/107: Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication - H04R 2420/07: Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A short-range communication system. The short-range communication system includes a plurality of wearable units, each of which include a hub having a speaker therein. Each wearable unit has a primary clip extending from the hub for selective attachment to a wearer's ear such that the speaker is directed to an ear canal of the wearer. Each wearable includes has a secondary clip extending outwardly from the hub such that an exterior side of the hub is between the secondary clip and the speaker, an antenna in the secondary clip, a reflector between the secondary clip and the speaker, and a microphone. Each wearable unit is in either a transmit state or a listener state, with a maximum of one said wearable unit being in the transmit state at any point in time. A stationary repeater having a processor and circuitry manipulates original RF signals transmitted by a transmitting wearable unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A short-range communication system comprising: a plurality of wearable units each comprising: a hub having a speaker therein; a primary clip extending from the hub for selective attachment to a wearer's ear such that the speaker is directed to an ear canal of the wearer; a secondary clip extending outwardly from the hub such that an exterior side of the hub is between the secondary clip and the speaker; an antenna within the secondary clip; a reflector between the secondary clip and the speaker; and a microphone; wherein each said wearable unit of the plurality of wearable units is in either a transmit state or a listener state, with a maximum of one said wearable unit being in the transmit state at any point in time; and a stationary repeater having a processor and circuitry, the stationary repeater configured to: (a) manipulate original RF signals transmitted by at least one transmitting wearable unit of the plurality of wearable units; and (b) transmit the manipulated original RF signals to at least one listening wearable unit of the plurality of wearable units. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, wherein the manipulated original RF signals include a time offset relative to the original RF signals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The short-range communication system of claim 2, wherein the time offset is user-configurable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The short-range communication system of claim 3, wherein the user-configurable time offset is independently configurable for each of the plurality of wearable units. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, wherein the manipulated original RF signals include at least one item selected from a group consisting of a time offset relative to the original RF signals and an amplification of the original RF signals. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, wherein the manipulated original RF signals include at least one item selected from a group consisting of a polarization diversity relative to the original RF signals and a spatial diversity relative to the original RF signals. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The short-range communication of claim 1, wherein at least one said wearable unit in a listener state of the plurality of wearable units is configured to convert to audio at one time either the original RF signals or the manipulated original RF signals. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, wherein a distance between the hub and the primary clip of at least one of the plurality of wearable units is configured to be variable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, each of the plurality of wearable units further comprise a push to talk button. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The short-range communication system of claim 9, wherein each push to talk button is located in the hub of one of the plurality of wearable units. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, wherein the stationary repeater is configured to be mountable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, wherein the reflector is coupled to a circuit board situated within the hub. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The short-range communication system of claim 1, further comprising a charger communicatively linked to the stationary repeater and the plurality of wearable units. ### Claim 14 A short-range communication system comprising: a plurality of wearable units each comprising: a hub having a speaker therein; a primary clip extending from the hub for selective attachment to a wearer's ear such that the speaker is directed to an ear canal of the wearer; a secondary clip extending outwardly from the hub such that an exterior side of the hub is between the secondary clip and the speaker; an antenna; a reflector between the antenna and the speaker; and a microphone; wherein each said wearable unit is in either a transmit state or a listener state, with a maximum of one said wearable unit being in the transmit state at any point in time; and a stationary repeater having a processor and circuitry, the stationary repeater configured to: (a) manipulate original RF signals transmitted by at least one transmitting wearable unit of the plurality of wearable units; and (b) transmit the manipulated original RF signals to at least one listening wearable unit of the plurality of wearable units; wherein the manipulated original RF signals include a time offset relative to the original RF signals. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The short-range communication system of claim 14, wherein the time offset is user-configurable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The short-range communication system of claim 14, wherein the time offset for each of the plurality of wearable units is independently configurable. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The short-range communication system of claim 14, wherein the manipulated original RF signals further include an amplification of the original RF signals. ### Claim 18 A short-range communication system comprising: a plurality of wearable units each comprising: a hub having a speaker therein; a primary clip extending from the hub for selective attachment to a wearer's ear such that the speaker is directed to an ear canal of the wearer; a secondary clip extending outwardly from the hub such that an exterior side of the hub is between the secondary clip and the speaker; an antenna within the secondary clip; a reflector between the secondary clip and the speaker; and a microphone; wherein each said wearable unit is in either a transmit state or a listener state, with a maximum of one said wearable unit being in the transmit state at any point in time; and a stationary repeater having a processor and circuitry, the stationary repeater configured to manipulate original RF signals transmitted by at least one transmitting wearable unit of the plurality of wearable units; wherein a distance between the hub and the primary clip of at least one of the plurality of wearable units is configured to be variable.