Abstract: Systems and methods for providing audio content and hearing-enhancement devices are provided. Systems and methods can be tailored to providing audio content to the hearing impaired, and can include evaluating a response profile of a listener; determining preferred ultrasonic signal parameters based on the listener's response profile; configuring an ultrasonic audio system according to the determined ultrasonic signal parameters; and using the ultrasonic audio system to transforming an audio signal into an ultrasonic pressure wave representing the audio signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic audio speaker includes a backing plate comprising a first major surface and a conductive region, the backing plate further comprising a plurality of textural elements disposed on the first major surface. A flexible layer disposed adjacent the first major surface of the backing plate includes a conductive region and an insulative region, wherein the flexible layer is disposed adjacent the backing plate such that the insulative region is positioned between the backing plate and the conductive region of the flexible layer, and such that there is a volume of air between the flexible layer and surfaces of the textural elements.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a parametric emitter system having a pot core transformer coupled between an amplifier and an emitter, the method comprising: selecting a number of turns required in a primary winding of the pot core transformer to achieve an optimal level of load impedance experienced by the amplifier; and selecting a number of turns required in a secondary winding of the pot core transformer to achieve electrical resonance between the secondary winding and the emitter.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing plasma comprises a first electrode and a porous element. The first electrode is in direct contact with a first side of the porous element. A second electrode is positioned adjacent a second side of the porous element, at least a portion of the second electrode being spaced from the second side of the porous element so as not to be in direct contact with the second side of the porous element. A plasma generating region is defined adjacent the second electrode.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a parametric emitter system having a pot core transformer coupled between an amplifier and an emitter, the method comprising: selecting a number of turns required in a primary winding of the pot core transformer to achieve an optimal level of load impedance experienced by the amplifier; and selecting a number of turns required in a secondary winding of the pot core transformer to achieve electrical resonance between the secondary winding and the emitter.

Abstract: A signal processing system for generating a parametric signal comprises an audio compressor, operable to compress a dynamic range of an audio input signal, and an equalization network, operable to equalize the audio signal. A low pass filter is operable to remove high portions of the audio signal and a high pass filter is operable to remove low portions of the audio signal. An oscillator circuit is operable to generate a carrier signal, and a modulation circuit is operable to combine the audio signal with the carrier signal to produce at least one modulated carrier signal.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a parametric emitter system having a pot core transformer coupled between an amplifier and an emitter, the method comprising: selecting a number of turns required in a primary winding of the pot core transformer to achieve an optimal level of load impedance experienced by the amplifier; and selecting a number of turns required in a secondary winding of the pot core transformer to achieve electrical resonance between the secondary winding and the emitter.

Abstract: An audio emitter comprises a support member operable to support a sound emittive material and a sound emittive material carried by the support member. A protective screen has a plurality of apertures formed therein, the protective screen being spaced a predetermined distance from the sound emittive material, said predetermined distance being a function of a resonant frequency of the audio emitter.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing a parametric output of a parametric loudspeaker system. The method can include the operation of providing multiple ultrasonic frequency emission zones that output signals in a frequency band. The phase relationships of the ultrasonic frequency emission zones can be correlated and controlled to increase phase coherence between each ultrasonic frequency emission zone to maximize parametric output. Correlating and controlling the phase relationships can include offsetting a frequency of a carrier signal applied to each emission zone from a resonant frequency of each emission zone in view of a rate of change of phase of each emission zone in a vicinity of each resonant frequency. Ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic frequency emission zones can be generated, using the correlated phase relationship to increase the parametric output.

Abstract: Parametric sound reproduction in high-intensity audio signaling, for example in hailing and warning at relatively large distances, is disclosed in one example by producing a primary audio signal in the audio frequency range, and producing a secondary audio signal in the audio frequency range by modulation of the primary audio signal, wherein the primary signal is chosen to enable an improved effect, for example one of directional reproduction, exploiting greater sensitivity of human hearing, exploiting an efficient or maximum intensity frequency range of a transducer used to reproduce the audio signals, and another parameter effecting distance, intelligibility, or intensity of an audio signal.

Abstract: An acoustic human and animal behavior modification system that is capable of creating a zone of exclusion immediately adjacent a surface vehicle comprises an array of acoustic transducers disposed on the vehicle in a location not readily seen nor accessible by humans adjacent the vehicle, and is configured to project an acoustic output radially outward in a radial sector at sound pressure levels above the ordinary human pain threshold to motivate animals and humans to move away from a vehicle or change their behavior.

Abstract: A system for generating at least one remote virtual speaker location in connection with at least a partial reflective environment (12, 12, 14 or 15) in combination with an audio speaker for creating multiple sound effects including a virtual sound source from the reflective environment which is perceived by a listener (53) as an original sound source, by generating a primary direct audio output by emitting audio compression waves toward a listener, and generating a secondary indirect audio output from at least one virtual speaker (24, 25 or 26) remote from the audio speakers, by emitting ultrasonic sound from at least one parametric speaker (20, 21 or 22) associated with the audio speakers and oriented toward at least one reflective environment which is remote from the audio speakers.

Abstract: An ultralight coaxial dual rotor helicopter having a substantially L shaped frame. Attached to the back of the frame is a vertical shaft engine, and a pair of yaw paddles for controlling yaw of the craft. The drive shaft connects to a belt drive at the top of the frame, which transmits the engine power to a transmission and coaxial drive gear for driving the rotors. Crank actuators are provided for tilting the rotor axis to control the pitch and roll of the craft. A pilot seat and ballast tank are attached to the front of the frame. The ballast tank may be filled with a volume of water to balance the craft for the weight of the pilot. The fuel tank is located behind the pilot seat on the centerline of the helicopter, such that as fuel is used and the weight of fuel in the tank changes, the balance of the craft will not be affected.

Abstract: A sound emitting device for providing at least one new sonic or subsonic frequency as a by-product of emitting a waveform of at least two ultrasonic frequencies whose difference in value corresponds to the desired new sonic or subsonic frequency. The device includes a parametric emitting perimeter or plurality of emitter segments positioned around a central open section. This open section is structured with a diagonal width greater than a cross-sectional diagonal of the parametric emitting perimeter. An ultrasonic frequency signal source and sonic/subsonic frequency generator are coupled together to a modulating circuit for mixing an ultrasonic frequency signal with an electrical signal corresponding to the at least one new sonic or subsonic frequency. The modulator output is coupled to the emitting perimeter which comprises ultrasonic frequency emitting material for propagating the mixed waveform into air for demodulating the waveform to generate the at least one new sonic or subsonic frequency.

Abstract: A sonic emitter, horn array with enhanced emitter-to-air acoustic coupling, with particular application to ultrasonic frequencies. The emitter comprises a plate support member having opposing first and second faces separated by an intermediate plate body. The plate body includes a plurality of conduits configured as an array of acoustic horns, with a small throat opening at the first face and an intermediate horn section which diverges to a broad mouth opening at the second face. An emitter membrane is positioned in direct contact with the first face and extends across the small throat openings. The emitter membrane is biased for (i) applying tension to the membrane extending across the throat openings and (ii) displacing the membrane into a non-planar configuration.

Abstract: An antenna element comprising at least two conductive elements, and a fluid (e.g., gas or vapor) filled bulb or tube positioned between the conductive elements is provided. The fluid is capable of ionization such that when the fluid in the bulb or tube is energized, the conductive elements electrically communicate with one another, and when the fluid is not energized, the conductive elements do not electrically communicate with one another.

Abstract: A parametric loudspeaker which uses multiple piezoelectric bimorph transducers. These multiple piezoelectric bimorphs have a resonant frequency which varies from unit to unit. The phase response at and near the resonant frequency changes at a very high rate with slight changes in frequency. The associated modulator electronics have a primary carrier frequency that is optimized for maximum parametric output. This is achieved by aligning the carrier frequency with the flattest portions of the phase curve for maximum phase coordination among the multiple devices.

Abstract: A system for generating at least one remote virtual speaker location in connection with at least a partial reflective environment (12, 12, 14 or 15) in combination with an audio speaker for creating multiple sound effects including a virtual sound source from the reflective environment which is perceived by a listener (53) as an original sound source, by generating a primary direct audio output by emitting audio compression waves toward a listener, and generating a secondary indirect audio output from at least one virtual speaker (24, 25 or 26) remote from the audio speakers, by emitting ultrasonic sound from at least one parametric speaker (20, 21 or 22) associated with the audio speakers and oriented toward at least one reflective environment which is remote from the audio speakers

Abstract: An antenna element comprising at least two conductive elements, and a fluid (e.g., gas or vapor) filled bulb or tube positioned between the conductive elements is provided. The fluid is capable of ionization such that when the fluid in the bulb or tube is energized, the conductive elements electrically communicate with one another, and when the fluid is not energized, the conductive elements do not electrically communicate with one another.

Abstract: An ultralight coaxial dual rotor helicopter having a substantially L shaped frame. Attached to the back of the frame is a vertical shaft engine, and a pair of yaw paddles for controlling yaw of the craft. The drive shaft connects to a belt drive at the top of the frame, which transmits the engine power to a transmission and coaxial drive gear for driving the rotors. Crank actuators are provided for tilting the rotor axis to control the pitch and roll of the craft. A pilot seat and ballast tank are attached to the front of the frame. The ballast tank may be filled with a volume of water to balance the craft for the weight of the pilot. The fuel tank is located behind the pilot seat on the centerline of the helicopter, such that as fuel is used and the w eight of fuel in the tank changes, the balance of the craft will not be affected. A simplified electronic control system controls all functions of the helicopter in response to pilot input.