The Wireless Coach

[Rusty Blades]

It seemed to me that it would be a really good idea if the coach and his/her skater could hear the same music without monopolizing the rink sound system or without the awkwardness of having a boombox on the boards so I started researching the possibilities. (Can't help myself - I make my living as a system designer!)

After finding an appropriate FM stereo transmitter, one that was battery operated (with reasonable battery life) and with enough range to cover a standard NHL skating rink, I started putting together a complete system.

This system allows the coach to control the music source while both the coach and the skater(s) hear the music simultaneously. If the rink has an FM receiver, it could be tuned to the transmitter frequency and the coach could control the music source from on the ice.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/calamityjanecanary/WirelessCoacht.jpg

The Skater's Pack consists of a pocket size FM radio with belt clip and ear buds. More than one skater's pack could be used and tuned to the same frequency for dancers.

The Coach's Pack consists of a personal music source (iPod, Walkman, DiscMan, etc), ear buds, an FM transmitter, and a custom splitter cable.

To be added shortly will be an optional microphone that will allow the coach to speak to the skater(s) through the ear buds along with the music. I also intend to create a bag with neck strap to hold all the components of the Coach's Pack in neat and convenient order.

The systems can be switched to different frequencies allowing up to four systems to be in use at the same rink without interfering with each other.

Each system should be set up according to the geographical area in which it will be primarily used in order to avoid interfering with local radio stations.

Most of the components are commercially available (except the cables and coach's bag) but, if there is enough interest, I could probably offer complete systems, tested and working, for a better price than buying parts, cables, adapters, etc. at retail prices.

It will take me a little time to put together pricing since I am busy with my skating program and would have to go back to the manufacturers for quantity prices - which means I would need some idea of the quantity.

If somebody wants to cobble together their own system, there are lots of companies out there selling FM transmitters and they can probably find the right combination of cables and adapters to hook it all up. (Of course you are on your own as far as results go :roll: )

P.S. The system uses North American radio frequencies. For use in other countries, the transmitter may not be compatible with local regulations.

[Skittl1321]

What an incredible idea. Thanks for sharing it!

[Clarice]

This looks pretty cool in theory, but I wonder how safe it would be? Part of hearing the music over the rink sound system is that I know whose program is on and who has the right of way. And I'm afraid that if several skaters were trying to do their programs to their music simultaneously they would be concentrating on the program and not watching out for each other as well as they could. It's just easier when only one person gets their music at a time and we all know who it is. Personally, I think I would have a hard time listening to my music through this system while somebody else's music played over the rink system - the conflicting rhythms would drive me nuts. I admire the technology, though!

[Bill_S]

Well, you've done it again! Another great idea put into working order.

If you keep going, you could soon offer a catalog of skating goodies and start a retail empire. :D

You get the forum "great inventor" vote from me!

[Rusty Blades]

I wonder how safe it would be?

The idea was not for doing complete programs - unless maybe by playing thru the PA system - but rather so coaches and skaters can work on bits and pieces off in a corner.

I frequently wear my iPod but never wear both ear buds unless I am alone. I also don't have the volume any higher than required to hear the beat/timing.

Obviously, when you share the ice with other skaters, you need to be AWARE of traffic. Yes, I know there are people who can not walk and chew gum at the same time - I would hope their fellow skaters would do a Mexican Hat Dance on their iPod!

[doubletoe]

Dianne, you rock! :D

[Casey]

I was going to do a similar setup for pairs - Like yours I have a splitter that goes into the headphone jack, and then one person would have earbuds plugged directly in, and the other would have a set of bluetooth headphones such as these:
http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__ON506

I was waiting for bluetooth 2.0 earbuds to came along because they have pretty perfect sound quality whereas the bluetooth 1.x ones can be degraded sounding like a cell phone, but google now shows me that some exist:
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1003210
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1003209

But while the quality of Bluetooth 2.0 would be higher than FM, the range is only 33 feet so it wouldn't work as well for coaching...

(I can just imagine a coach looking at this pile of gadgetry and saying, "you want me to do WHAT?!??!!")

[Isk8NYC]

Thank you Dianne!

[Skate@Delaware]

Dianne,
This is a wonderful idea! I like that you have the option of adding a microphone for the coach (maybe incorporate a headset type). I had thought something like that would be good so I could HEAR my coach over everyone's music. This has become more of an issue lately, as I'm slowly losing my hearing and if I am not right in front of her, I can't hear what she is saying especially if the PA is booming.

As far as safety, everyone should always be aware of other skaters and where they are and where they look like they are headed, at all times.

I'm interested!!!!!

[jazzpants]

Dianne: I still am worried about the concern about other skaters, however, I just want to say I LOVE your suggestion with "The Wireless Coach." :bow: :bow: :bow:

BTW: since you are using FM frequency, a place to get cheap wireless microphones (besides music stores) are TOY stores!!! You can get these toy microphones in the music section of the toy stores. The only problem is that I think those microphone uses a specific FM frequency and I don't know whether it would conflict with the frequency of the FM transmitter.

But something to look into... ;)

[Rusty Blades]

Yes, most "cheap" wireless use a frequency in the 400 or 900 MHz band which is designated for "family communications". The ones I have seen have mediocre sound quality but would work for S.D.'s requirements. The "key" to adding a mic to The Wireless Coach is to mix the mic signal with both stereo music channels to ensure the skater hears the coach's voice no matter which ear bud they are wearing.

Transmitting in the commercial FM band has the advantage of allowing the coach to control the music from on-the-ice (assuming the rink sound system has an FM radio which most do around here) and the transmitter I use is hi-fi stereo so the sound quality is as good as a home stereo.

I expect that I could offer The Wireless Coach, less the personal audio device, for around $100 - most people have an iPod or Walkman already. The microphone option would probably add another $50.

[sceptique]

I've seen a skater and a coach at one rink wearing wireless headphones while they played their music through a CD player. I think you can find this kind of gadgets in most big electric shops nowadays.

[NickiT]

The problem though is that at least when your music's playing out loud the other skaters know to give way to you. If they can't hear your music you won't get right of way.

Nicki

[Rusty Blades]

The idea was not for doing complete programs - unless maybe by playing thru the PA system - but rather so coaches and skaters can work on bits and pieces off in a corner.

[Clarice]

That may be the idea, but that's not how everybody is going to use it. At my rink, at least, it would solve some problems while likely creating other, more dangerous, ones. I can see a lot of potentially great applications if it's being used responsibly, though.

[Rusty Blades]

Then take it up with the people at your rink. Lets not blame the hardware for people problems and PLEASE, lets not have this debate yet again in this thread. That horse has been beaten into oblivion.

[Team Arthritis]

Rusty this is GREAT! What FM transmitter do you use to get coverage on the entire rink that is still FCC legal?http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/outfitted/graduate.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)

My own experiences: I videotape my lessons and hooked up a wireless FM mic to my coach so it records her voice on the tape - BTW what she says is often much more useful than watching my feeble attempts at doing what she says.http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/outfitted/geezer.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)
I use the NADY 351. It's a little more expensive than previous models but the FM noise at our rink is HUGE and this model has much better discrimination. I hook her up to a lavelier mic and she wears the FM transmitter in a neoprene belt bag designed to hold a portable CD player. I've found that the wire antenna broke in a week but the rubber ducky whip is working great!:P

So here is something we all need that I hope you can help find: we need an extremely small and cheap mixer with 1/8" inputs and preferably optoisolation to protect the devices from the (no kidding) 1500 volts ground loop at the pitifully wired rink side power grid. (no wonder the CD players never last more than a few months!):roll: The other thing that would be nice is a full duplex system so that you could converse with your coach, OTOH most of what comes out of my mouth is grunting noises and giggles during a lesson:giveup:
KEEEP US POSTED!
Lyle

[Rusty Blades]

... we need an extremely small and cheap mixer with 1/8" inputs

I spent a zillion hours trying to find one of those - no dice! The smallest battery powered mixers are all "professional grade" and start around $400! (For the microphone version of The Wireless Coach, I have to build the mixer myself!)

preferably optoisolation to protect the devices from the (no kidding) 1500 volts ground loop at the pitifully wired rink side power grid.

I have been heavily into audio since about 1962 and have NEVER seen a mixer with isolated inputs. Even in the power industry (where I work) the isolation is done as a separate step at a cost of about $1500 per channel

The other thing that would be nice is a full duplex system so that you could converse with your coach ...

Check the internet for "family radio". There are a whole host of manufacturers making inexpensive two-way radios for family use. You may find one that is truly full duplex.

[jazzpants]

The "key" to adding a mic to The Wireless Coach is to mix the mic signal with both stereo music channels to ensure the skater hears the coach's voice no matter which ear bud they are wearing.Would a small sound mixer work (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102920&cp=&sr=1&origkw=mixer&kw=mixer&parentPage=search)???

[Rusty Blades]

Would a small sound mixer work (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102920&cp=&sr=1&origkw=mixer&kw=mixer&parentPage=search)???

It would, but it is rather large and weighs almost 2 pounds.

Also, for the coach's microphone, it is better to do the mixing at high level rather than mic level to avoid the requirement for another amplifier.

[xofivebyfive]

That would be interesting.. but we aren't allowed to use iPods or personal CD players at mink rink, ESPECIALLY during FS sessions because people tend to zone out all of the other skaters, and many more accidents happen.

[Team Arthritis]

FWIW I think I've figuresd out why they don't use optoisolators for audio inputs- the frequency response is bad below 40 Hz.:cry:

I think that a passive mixer/ really just a voltage devider/ would work well enough but you still need power for the microphone so maybe a powered mixer is still the best option
Lyle

[slusher]

I'd vote for skaters to use this when doing their skills. Instead of me having to hear that awful music over and over again, the skater who is doing the skill could have the music piped to their ear and I could skate in peace.

Yeah, I've got the same concerns about skaters concentrating on one thing to the detriment of everything else and having accidents happen.

Schools use FM devices for hard of hearing students, the teacher is miked and the student wears the receiver earpiece and the level of transmission has to stay in the classroom, I'm wondering if any of those hardware bits and pieces would work? (I used to work with special needs kids).

[Skate@Delaware]

This would be a great thing for me; in the noisy rink even without music playing, it gets very hard to hear my coach (she does not talk softly but my hearing is going). Add music and it becomes impossible at times.

I don't want her to hear what I'm saying all the time...I'd have to start putting money in the jar again :oops:

[DallasSkater]

I think this is a wonderful idea. I can even imagine it being used for other sports. If it does not already exist in some form...then maybe patent it!

[Isk8NYC]

Dianne - Did you plan to patent this technology?

Do they use something similar for NFL games?

[Casey]

Dianne - Did you plan to patent this technology?
What is there to patent? This is all stuff that exists already...

[kateskate]

One of the coaches at our rink has wireless headphones for him and his pupils. They are quite big and cumbersome of skate with but they can both hear the music simultaneously. They just plug into whatever music system you are using.

I've not tried them but one of my friends has and she said having headphones on throws off her balance somewhat.

[DallasSkater]

I think you could patent it if you made it specifically for skaters and other sports addressing things like size and function. All inventions come from something that exists. It is the application that is interesting to me with this idea.

[Team Arthritis]

spinning with headphones is seriously funnyhttp://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/outfitted/blindfold.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)

Aside from a patent, which would probably cost more than you could recoup, just putting it all together and selling it as a package may fly. Its well worth the $$$ to buy a package that actually works than try and re-invent the wheel.http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/outfitted/cap.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)
Lyle

[Rusty Blades]

Yes, there is nothing that would qualify for a Patent because there is nothing that is truly unique. I may have a combination of existing parts that particularly suits figure skaters but the functionality is already there in other forms.

Coach and I used the system today (on nearly deserted ice) while working on the opening to my program. It works great! She could stop, start, re-start the music as she wished and we went through the same 15 Seconds like a zillion times - imagine how the other skaters would have loved hearing that music again and again and again! She did say that she is looking forward to trying the version with the coach's microphone.

[Isk8NYC]

I read DallasSkater's post and just wondered if a patent was something you were planning to pursue since you had "published" the technology. Forgive my ignorance in not knowing patent rules.

[DallasSkater]

Guys, I do believe it is possible to patent a design idea that is involving other technology that already being used. Recently, there was a thread about the design of a skate bag. Although there are many skate bags out there each can have it's own design that can be legally protected. Owning name brands is also possible.

I am not suggesting anyone has to do this. Just that I think if there were such a great cost effective one already available to skaters, we would already know of it in even our level of participation in the sport. I know NFL and highly elite athletes will have products to use outside the typical financial range of most.

I am very impressed with Rusty's ability to create everything from a ice rink to a boot press to a boot hanger to a sound system specific to her needs. I say this woman is quite marketable! giggle

[Team Arthritis]

I am very impressed with Rusty's ability to create everything from a ice rink to a boot press to a boot hanger to a sound system specific to her needs. I say this woman is quite marketable! giggle

remarkable I'd say!http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/musical/headphones.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)
Lyle

[Rusty Blades]

***blush!***

(Now, if I could just SKATE!! LOL!)

[LWalsh]

A cool idea indeed but how on earth can you keep earbuds in your ears when jumping or spinning? They always fly out on me.

LWalsh

[Rusty Blades]

A cool idea indeed but how on earth can you keep earbuds in your ears when jumping or spinning? They always fly out on me.

LWalsh

Surgical glue?

(Sorry!)

[Casey]

A cool idea indeed but how on earth can you keep earbuds in your ears when jumping or spinning? They always fly out on me.
These (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=4D932AD9&nplm=M9394G%2FB) stay in pretty well. It's pretty rare that they come out. I run the wire up my shirt so that it's not tugging at them and if one does come out, it's not far.

[Emberchyld]

Aside from a patent, which would probably cost more than you could recoup, just putting it all together and selling it as a package may fly. Its well worth the $$$ to buy a package that actually works than try and re-invent the wheel.http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/outfitted/cap.gif (http://www.thesmilies.com)
Lyle

I agree with Lyle that the patent (and subsequent upkeep) would probably cost more than you'd recoup... at least in the short term. But if you have the right claims that noone has patented yet (altogether), patenting this is not impossible (although, technically, you've revealed this to a TON of 3rd parties and a patent lawyer would probably have kittens over trying to work that!). But this is an amazing idea! (especially since I can't hear my coach when I'm 2 inches from him, not to mention a few feet!)

[Rusty Blades]

Actually the potential profit from The Wireless Coach, even marketed world wide thru skate shops wouldn't justify the cost of the patent. A patent is also fairly useless unless you have the significant financial resources (and desire) to defend it in court. (As in most law suits, he with the deepest pockets wins.)

I am much happier just to put the idea out there for everybody and to produce the BEST one at a reasonable price. If somebody else wants to produce a better product at a competitive price, that's great - it is to the benefit of skating in general and that's the purpose.

[Mrs Redboots]

I should like a similar system so that Husband and I can both hear the music when we are dancing. With so many elite skaters at our rink, we're lucky if we get to play our music once in the session, and usually not at all unless we are having a lesson, so headphones are invaluable.