Abstract: A headset communication device includes at least one processor configured to transmit, via a dedicated virtual communication channel of a wireless communication protocol, local beacon data to one or more remote headset communication devices within a work environment, to discover a remote headset communication device included in the one or more remote headset communication devices by receiving, via the dedicated virtual communication channel of the wireless communication protocol, remote beacon data that is transmitted by the remote headset communication device, to automatically synchronize, based on the remote beacon data, the headset communication device with the remote headset communication device, and, to transmit, via one or more additional virtual communication channels of the wireless communication protocol, local audio communication data to the one or more remote headset communication devices.

Abstract: A voice-activated encoding method includes determining a voice power parameter based on a frequency domain representation of a voice signal from a voice microphone. The method includes determining an ambient power parameter based on a frequency domain representation of at least one ambient signal from at least one ambient microphone spaced from the voice microphone. The method also includes enabling encoding of an audio signal based on the voice signal in response to comparing the power parameters and a threshold value. A headset including a controller may use the method to determine whether to enable or disable encoding, transmission, or both of an audio signal to another device.

Abstract: A headset communication device includes at least one processor configured to transmit, via a dedicated virtual communication channel of a wireless communication protocol, local beacon data to one or more remote headset communication devices within a work environment, to discover a remote headset communication device included in the one or more remote headset communication devices by receiving, via the dedicated virtual communication channel of the wireless communication protocol, remote beacon data that is transmitted by the remote headset communication device, to automatically synchronize, based on the remote beacon data, the headset communication device with the remote headset communication device, and, to transmit, via one or more additional virtual communication channels of the wireless communication protocol, local audio communication data to the one or more remote headset communication devices.

Abstract: A headset communication device includes at least one processor configured to transmit, via a dedicated virtual communication channel of a wireless communication protocol, local beacon data to one or more remote headset communication devices within a work environment, to discover a remote headset communication device included in the one or more remote headset communication devices by receiving, via the dedicated virtual communication channel of the wireless communication protocol, remote beacon data that is transmitted by the remote headset communication device, to automatically synchronize, based on the remote beacon data, the headset communication device with the remote headset communication device, and, to transmit, via one or more additional virtual communication channels of the wireless communication protocol, local audio communication data to the one or more remote headset communication devices.

Abstract: A voice-activated encoding method includes determining a voice power parameter based on a frequency domain representation of a voice signal from a voice microphone. The method includes determining an ambient power parameter based on a frequency domain representation of at least one ambient signal from at least one ambient microphone spaced from the voice microphone. The method also includes enabling encoding of an audio signal based on the voice signal in response to comparing the power parameters and a threshold value. A headset including a controller may use the method to determine whether to enable or disable encoding, transmission, or both of an audio signal to another device.

Abstract: A communication device is presented that includes a receiver operatively coupled to a processor. The receiver receives communication data from other communication devices. The device also includes a speaker operatively coupled to the processor. The speaker is configured to output a sound wave based on an output from the processor. The processor determines a distance from another communication device transmitting communication data to the communication device. A volume of the sound wave is reduced in proportion to the distance between the communication device and the other device.

Abstract: A headset communication device includes at least one processor configured to transmit, via a dedicated virtual communication channel of a wireless communication protocol, local beacon data to one or more remote headset communication devices within a work environment, to discover a remote headset communication device included in the one or more remote headset communication devices by receiving, via the dedicated virtual communication channel of the wireless communication protocol, remote beacon data that is transmitted by the remote headset communication device, to automatically synchronize, based on the remote beacon data, the headset communication device with the remote headset communication device, and, to transmit, via one or more additional virtual communication channels of the wireless communication protocol, local audio communication data to the one or more remote headset communication devices.

Abstract: A headset communication device includes at least one processor configured to transmit, via a dedicated virtual communication channel of a wireless communication protocol, local beacon data to one or more remote headset communication devices within a work environment, to discover a remote headset communication device included in the one or more remote headset communication devices by receiving, via the dedicated virtual communication channel of the wireless communication protocol, remote beacon data that is transmitted by the remote headset communication device, to automatically synchronize, based on the remote beacon data, the headset communication device with the remote headset communication device, and, to transmit, via one or more additional virtual communication channels of the wireless communication protocol, local audio communication data to the one or more remote headset communication devices.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting a hearing protector with an active communication device. The method has steps of providing a hearing protector, providing the active communication device and retaining the active communication device at the hearing protector. Further, a hearing protector is provided having two generally dome-shaped earmuffs, an active communication device comprising a loudspeaker and electronic circuitry which comprises a wireless communication interface, and wherein the active communication device has a mounting ring that is retained between an outer shell and a cushioning of the earmuff.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting a hearing protector with an active communication device. The method has steps of providing a hearing protector, providing the active communication device and retaining the active communication device at the hearing protector. Further, a hearing protector is provided having two generally dome-shaped earmuffs, an active communication device comprising a loudspeaker and electronic circuitry which comprises a wireless communication interface, and wherein the active communication device has a mounting ring that is retained between an outer shell and a cushioning of the earmuff.

Abstract: Speech enhancement apparatus and respirator masks including speech enhancement apparatus, as well as methods of enhancing speech transmission for the wearer of a respirator mask are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the speech enhancement apparatus and methods described herein detect acoustic energy within a first frequency range in the clean air envelope of a respirator mask and deliver compensating acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope using a speaker. The compensating acoustic energy is, in one or more embodiments, delivered in one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges that cover less than all of the detected first frequency range. In one or more embodiments, the compensating acoustic energy may be delivered with an attenuated amplitude profile that uniform or that is non-uniform over the one or more attenuated frequency ranges.

Abstract: A headset communication device includes at least one processor configured to transmit, via a dedicated virtual communication channel of a wireless communication protocol, local beacon data to one or more remote headset communication devices within a work environment, to discover a remote headset communication device included in the one or more remote headset communication devices by receiving, via the dedicated virtual communication channel of the wireless communication protocol, remote beacon data that is transmitted by the remote headset communication device, to automatically synchronize, based on the remote beacon data, the headset communication device with the remote headset communication device, and, to transmit, via one or more additional virtual communication channels of the wireless communication protocol, local audio communication data to the one or more remote headset communication devices.

Abstract: A plurality of communication devices form a network, including a first communication device configured to send and receive communication data to and from other communication devices within the network using time division multiple access protocol; wherein the first communication device is configured to store data indicating whether another communication device is in a master state; wherein in advance of sending communication data, if another communication device is not in the master state, then the first communication device will enter the master state; wherein in advance of sending communication data, if another communication device is in the master state, then the first communication device will enter a lowest available time slot; and wherein all of the communication devices in the network synchronize to the communication device in the master state. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Speech enhancement apparatus and respirator masks including speech enhancement apparatus, as well as methods of enhancing speech transmission for the wearer of a respirator mask are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the speech enhancement apparatus and methods described herein detect acoustic energy within a first frequency range in the clean air envelope of a respirator mask and deliver compensating acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope using a speaker. The compensating acoustic energy is, in one or more embodiments, delivered in one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges that cover less than all of the detected first frequency range. In one or more embodiments, the compensating acoustic energy may be delivered with an attenuated amplitude profile that uniform or that is non-uniform over the one or more attenuated frequency ranges.

Abstract: Speech enhancement apparatus and respirator masks including speech enhancement apparatus, as well as methods of enhancing speech transmission for the wearer of a respirator mask are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the speech enhancement apparatus and methods described herein detect acoustic energy within a first frequency range in the clean air envelope of a respirator mask and deliver compensating acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope using a speaker. The compensating acoustic energy, in one or more embodiments, exhibits a predetermined attenuated amplitude profile such that the compensating acoustic energy has an amplitude less than 6 dB greater than the acoustic attenuation profile of the mask body over at least 90% of a predetermined attenuated frequency range.

Abstract: Speech enhancement apparatus and respirator masks including speech enhancement apparatus, as well as methods of enhancing speech transmission for the wearer of a respirator mask are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the speech enhancement apparatus and methods described herein detect acoustic energy within a first frequency range in the clean air envelope of a respirator mask and deliver compensating acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope using a speaker. The compensating acoustic energy is, in one or more embodiments, delivered in one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges that cover less than all of the detected first frequency range. In one or more embodiments, the compensating acoustic energy may be delivered with an attenuated amplitude profile that uniform or that is non-uniform over the one or more attenuated frequency ranges.

Abstract: Speech enhancement apparatus and respirator masks including speech enhancement apparatus, as well as methods of enhancing speech transmission for the wearer of a respirator mask are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the speech enhancement apparatus and methods described herein detect acoustic energy within a first frequency range in the clean air envelope of a respirator mask and deliver compensating acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope using a speaker. The compensating acoustic energy, in one or more embodiments, exhibits a predetermined attenuated amplitude profile such that the compensating acoustic energy has an amplitude less than 6 dB greater than the acoustic attenuation profile of the mask body over at least 90% of a predetermined attenuated frequency range.

Abstract: Speech enhancement apparatus and respirator masks including speech enhancement apparatus, as well as methods of enhancing speech transmission for the wearer of a respirator mask are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the speech enhancement apparatus and methods described herein detect acoustic energy within a first frequency range in the clean air envelope of a respirator mask and deliver compensating acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope using a speaker. The compensating acoustic energy is, in one or more embodiments, delivered in one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges that cover less than all of the detected first frequency range. In one or more embodiments, the compensating acoustic energy may be delivered with an attenuated amplitude profile that uniform or that is non-uniform over the one or more attenuated frequency ranges.

Abstract: A method for wireless digital radio communication is put into effect on a first number K of channels between a second number A of users. All A of the users are permitted to listen on one and the same listening channel. A limited number B of channels is used for outgoing speech communication. The communication on these channels is transmitted to all A users on the listening channel. A communication apparatus which utilizes this method includes at least one stationary base unit (1) and at least A handsets (2).

Abstract: A method of limiting the maximum permitted sound volume in an earphone, a headset or the like, includes the step that the size of the driving signal for driving the earphone is sensed. The driving signal has a voltage that is less than approx. 0.7 V. If the driving signal exceeds a certain level, one part of the driving signal is shunted past the earphone and another part of the driving signal is diverted. Either the voltage of the diverted part is increased and controls the shunt device by which the first part of the driving signal is shunted past the earphone, or it is supplied to a unit with a detector device and the shunt device. The unit is sensitive to work at voltages below approx. 0.7 V. An earphone or the like for the above-mentioned method comprises a shunt device and a detector device whose current source is the signal source of the earphone.