# US 2010/0166209 A1 · Companion microphone 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 2010/0166209 A1 - Document ID: US20100166209A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/347,508 - Filed: 2008-12-31 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-31 - Assignees: Etymotic Research, Inc. - Inventors: William Frank Dunn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166209A1 ## CPC - H04L 1/08: by repeating transmission, e.g. Verdan system {(H04L1/1858 and H04L1/189 take precedence)} - H04L 1/0045: {Arrangements at the receiver end} - H04L 1/04: using frequency diversity - H04R 25/554: {using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils} - H04R 27/02: Amplifying systems for the deaf - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - 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) ## Abstract Systems and methods for wireless communication can include a first unit configured to synchronously transmit a first digital audio packet redundantly in at least a first dedicated slot and a second dedicated slot over a time period, and a second unit configured to receive wireless transmissions from the first unit. In certain embodiments, the second unit does not listen for a transmission in the second dedicated slot if the first digital audio packet is received in the first dedicated slot. In certain embodiments, the units are encoded with a group code that identifies group members, such that the units only receive data packets transmitted by group members with the same group code. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wireless communication system comprising: a first unit configured to synchronously transmit a first digital audio packet redundantly in at least a first dedicated slot and a second dedicated slot over a time period; and a second unit configured to receive wireless transmissions from the first unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second unit is configured to not listen for a transmission in the second dedicated slot if the first digital audio packet is received in the first dedicated slot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second unit is configured to synchronously transmit a second digital audio packet redundantly in at least a third dedicated slot and a fourth dedicated slot over the time period, and wherein the first unit is configured to receive wireless transmissions from the second unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second units are configured to synchronize transmissions and receptions based on the order in which the units are powered on. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second units are configured to synchronize transmissions and receptions independent of the order in which the units are powered on. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a third unit configured to receive wireless transmissions from the first unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a third unit configured to synchronously transmit a second digital audio packet redundantly in at least a third dedicated slot and a fourth dedicated slot over the time period, wherein the second unit is configured to receive wireless transmissions from the third unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first unit is configured to convert an audio input into the first digital audio packet and the second unit is configured to convert the first digital audio packet into an audio output. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein a length of time between receiving the audio input at the first unit and outputting the audio output at the second unit is about 20 milliseconds or less. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the digital audio packet is compressed prior to transmission, and wherein the digital audio packet is reduced from 16 bit to 4 bit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the second unit is configured to ramp down a volume of the audio output if reception of the first digital audio packet is interfered with and then ramp up the volume of the audio output if a next digital audio packet is received. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first unit is configured to convert an audio input into the first digital audio packet using sub banded adaptive differential pulse-code modulation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first unit is configured to convert an audio input received by a plurality of directional microphones into the first digital audio packet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first unit is configured to redundantly transmit the first data packet in three dedicated slots over a time period of about 8 milliseconds or less. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first unit and the second unit are encoded with a group code that identifies group members, and wherein the second unit is configured to only receive data packets transmitted by group members with the same group code. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the group code determines a pseudo random sequence to be used by a frequency hopping radio transmitter of the first unit. ### Claim 17 A method for wireless communication comprising: synchronously transmitting a first digital audio packet redundantly from a first unit in at least a first dedicated slot and a second dedicated slot over a time period; and receiving a wireless transmission from the first unit at a second unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the second unit is configured to not listen for a transmission in the second dedicated slot if the first digital audio packet is received in the first dedicated slot. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: synchronously transmitting a second digital audio packet redundantly from the second unit in at least a third dedicated slot and a fourth dedicated slot over a time period; and receiving a wireless transmission from the second unit at the first unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: synchronously transmitting a second digital audio packet redundantly from a third unit in at least a third dedicated slot and a fourth dedicated slot over a time period; and receiving a wireless transmission from the third unit at the second unit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising converting an audio input at the first unit into the first digital audio packet; converting the first digital audio packet into an audio output at the second unit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein a length of time between receiving the audio input at the first unit and outputting the audio output at the second unit is about 20 milliseconds or less. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising: converting at least one audio signal at the first unit into the first digital audio packet using sub banded adaptive differential pulse-code modulation. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the first unit is configured to redundantly transmit the first data packet in three dedicated slots over a time period of about 8 milliseconds or less. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the first unit and the second unit are encoded with a group code that identifies group members, and wherein the second unit is configured to only receive data packets transmitted by group members with the same group code.