Wireless communication system for use by teams

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.

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.