Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device and method for inserting and retaining an acoustical damper in a sound port for in-ear monitoring systems. In particular, a device having an insertion rod for guiding an acoustical damper into the opening of a sound port, and displacement members for forming retaining notches at the opening of the sound port, whereby the retaining notches retain the acoustical damper in the sound port.

Abstract: A non-adaptive system and method for improving on-axis pickup of a signal by a transducer, such as a microphone, where the signal received by the transducer is can be spatially represented as lobes or beams, the on-axis pickup being improved by removing the side portions of the beams. The input signal, or signals, has a predetermined location, whether that is at zero degrees on a polar plot or elsewhere, and the system produces an output beamwidth as narrow as possible. The input beams of the signal (or signals) received are processed to produce cancellation beams, and the cancellation beams are then steered, using phase or time delays, to overlap with the desired input beams outside of the desired output beamwidth.

Abstract: A low-cost diversity antenna switching system and method is realized by controlling bias voltages on PIN diodes. By increasing the reverse bias voltage impressed upon a PIN diode, an RF signal impressed upon the diode is increasingly attenuated. As the PIN diode is forward biased to conduct in the forward direction, RF attenuation decreases. Two or more PIN diodes are used to increasingly attenuate signals from one antenna as attenuation of signals from another antenna is gradually decreased. The progression of the bias voltages is accomplished using a microprocessor that monitors a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) signal from a radio receiver. The RSSI is used to control which of two antennas are coupled into the receiver by predicting a signal fade.

Abstract: A multiple-microphone actuation control system using direction-sensitive microphones turns ON microphones only if a talker's speech originates from within a specified "acceptance angle" in front of the microphones. Additionally, the invention automatically identifies which microphone best "hears" the talker, and only turns ON one microphone per talker, while allowing several microphones to turn ON simultaneously for several talkers.

Abstract: A unidirectional microphone element can be embedded within an object and be made flush to the object's surface yet retain its directional discrimination characteristic. Acoustic waveguides transmit acoustic input signals from acoustic ports to the front and rear input ports of the microphone element while also providing intelligibility-enhancing frequency response shaping. The housing wherein the microphone element is mounted acoustically isolates the front and rear input ports of the microphone element.