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ABOuT COmpANiON miCS
®
The Companion Mics project began in 1992. Before it was introduced
in 2006, it went through five developmental phases: 1) ultra low-power
digital transmission; 2) low-cost FM systems; 3) high-cost FM systems;
4) low-power digital security-alarm systems; and 5) the 2006 version,
a 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum (digital frequency hopping) system. None
of the first four systems provided adequate bandwidth and/or sufficient
signal-to-noise ratio.The present Companion Mics system has both.
The Companion Mics system was developed to help those who have
significant difficulty understanding conversation in background noise,
such as encountered in restaurants and other noisy places. Our quality
of life depends to a great extent on our ability to communicate with
family and friends. When this ability is compromised, there is a tendency
to withdraw. With the Companion Mics system, those who have been
excluded from conversation in noisy places can enjoy social situations
and fully participate again.
The CM•4 Companion Mics system establishes a direct communication
among all active units and bypasses the noise and reverberation of
the local acoustic environment. The wireless technology used in the
Companion Mics system is similar to that used by digital cordless
phones and other wireless devices using the 2.4 GHz band.
BENEFiTS
The Companion Mics system enables up to four persons to listen and
speak to each other. The microphones in this system give up to a
ten-to-one decrease in the relative noise level that is heard by each
listener, which makes it possible to carry on a normal conversation
even in high levels of background noise. The units use lithium polymer
rechargeable batteries. Battery life is 6-10 hours, which gives ample
use time for most applications. A complete charge takes 2-3 hours.
To conserve battery life, the system automatically times out and turns
off after a period of inactivity.
impOrTANT privACy NOTiCE TO ALL uSErS
It is easy to forget that you are wearing Companion Mics. If you leave
the conversation, or want to have a private conversation with someone,
be sure to disconnect from the system. The operating range of
this system can be 150 feet or more, so even if you are across
a room or away from the conversation, others may be able to
hear you!
