Abstract: A subwoofer that is enclosed in a housing adapted for tool-less installation and removal on a watercraft using cam-latch mounts on existing vendor mounting locations or on included custom mounting plates. The watercraft subwoofer system includes a waterproof signal and power connector with no tools necessary to connect or disconnect. The down-firing subwoofer acoustically couples the subwoofer to the hollow vehicle hull and increases bass. The enclosure has a passive acoustic radiator to provide increased bass response and pressure equalization when hitting the water or momentarily submerged. The enclosure has marine lights on the rear-facing side. The enclosure also has a one-way pressure valve to release pressure if hitting water at high speeds and becoming submerged. An anti-slip mat is provided on the top of the enclosure to reduce the likelihood of a rider slipping off the rear of the watercraft. Various enclosure shapes may be used.

Abstract: A smart speaker system is used as an emergency notification system. The smart speaker has a loudspeaker, a microphone, a visual display, processing capability, and an emergency flasher in the same enclosure. The smart speaker is in communication with a network-connected server providing at least distribution of emergency notification messages to appropriate clients. The amount of audio processing shared between the smart speaker and the server may vary, depending on the requirements of the installation site. Once an emergency voice communication is detected in the microphone output, the system generates a confirmation message that is played over the loudspeaker. Upon detection of an appropriate voice response from the user, the system generates an emergency response message, sends it to the distribution network, and activates the visual display, loudspeaker, and emergency flasher. Noise cancellation circuitry prevents loudspeaker interference with microphone output.

Abstract: An element of an automatic gain control system that automatically calibrates a Composite Gain vs Ambient Noise look-up table responsive to user zone gain inputs at various ambient noise levels. The table is a graph of adjacent (horizontally or diagonally) data points (nodes) mapping ambient noise to composite gain. Three algorithmic rules determine position changes of the nodes responsive to zone gain inputs. A curve may be fit to an arrangement of adjacent nodes. The curve, or the interpolated table value, is used with an ambient noise input to determine the current composite gain. The element may be used with many traditional ANC systems. Once calibrated over the full range of ambient noises in the user's space, the ANC system may never need further user zone gain inputs.

Abstract: An apparatus instantiating a method for computing automatic noise compensation gain with an adaptive filter that receives ambient sound and source audio, down samples ambient sound and source audio, and filters the down sampled ambient sound and source audio to compute an RMS noise estimate from which a gain is determined. The present invention features highly efficient computations, as sampling rates are significantly lower. The present invention keeps audio data secure by transmitting only the mean-square audio levels instead of the audio itself.

Abstract: A cleanroom compatible elastomeric cover for an acoustic attachment, such as a diffuser or a director, to a Small Ceiling Speaker System. The present invention provides one elastomeric cover for the otherwise exposed axial acoustic port of a director or the exposed radial acoustic port of a diffuser. The cover further provides a cleanroom seal between the diffuser or the director and the ceiling tile. The diffuser and the director are each acoustic attachments to the enclosed speaker portion of the small ceiling speaker that is above the ceiling tile and supported on the ceiling tile support grid, rather than the tile itself. The portion of the small ceiling speaker that is below the ceiling tile includes a sectionally threaded acoustic channel shell and an acoustic attachment. The cover prevents contaminants from entering the cleanroom though the hole in the ceiling tile through which the acoustic channel shell extends.

Abstract: An attachment to a small ceiling speaker system that is interchangeable with a diffuser of such system and that provides direct downward direction to sound produced by such system. A director interface is provided for adjustably attaching to an acoustic channel shell of such system. A direct fire ring releasably attaches to the director interface with a fastener. The direct fire ring supports magnets for releasably attaching a foraminous audio speaker grill. The director interface and the direct fire ring have alignable hub and spoke features and the hub and spokes of the director interface partially nest within the hub and spokes of the direct fire ring.

Abstract: An apparatus instantiating a method for computing automatic noise compensation gain with an adaptive filter that receives ambient sound and source audio, down samples ambient sound and source audio, and filters the down sampled ambient sound and source audio to compute an RMS noise estimate from which a gain is determined. The present invention features highly efficient computations, as sampling rates are significantly lower. The present invention keeps audio data secure by transmitting only the mean-square audio levels instead of the audio itself.

Abstract: An element of an automatic gain control system that automatically calibrates a Composite Gain vs Ambient Noise look-up table responsive to user zone gain inputs at various ambient noise levels. The table is a graph of adjacent (horizontally or diagonally) data points (nodes) mapping ambient noise to composite gain. Three algorithmic rules determine position changes of the nodes responsive to zone gain inputs. A curve may be fit to an arrangement of adjacent nodes. The curve, or the interpolated table value, is used with an ambient noise input to determine the current composite gain. The element may be used with many traditional ANC systems. Once calibrated over the full range of ambient noises in the user's space, the ANC system may never need further user zone gain inputs.

Abstract: A small, lightweight ceiling speaker assembly in a lightweight plastic tubular L-shaped housing with an inclined rear end closed by an electronics connection panel. The tubular L-shaped housing is assembled from right and left L-shaped halves and encloses a speaker, a multi-tap transformer, and control electronics. Selection of the transformer tap, zone selection, and configuration controls is accomplished manually on the electronics connection panel. Analog ANALOG IN and ANALOG OUT jacks are also located on the electronics connection panel. Spring-biased feet engage the top surface of a ceiling tile or panel to clamp the L-shaped strategically hidden speaker system against an annular flange of a releasably attachable sound diffuser or director.

Abstract: A system of wall-mounted audio system zone controllers, each having a digital display of a QR code that is unique to that particular wall-mounted controller. By scanning the QR code with a smart phone, or the like, where that smartphone is connected to the same network as the audio processing assembly that is communicatively connected to the particular wall-mounted zone controller, a user gains access to a website that provides expanded and remote audio control functionality over and above that provided by the wall-mounted zone controller itself. A wireless network router is in communication with the audio processing assembly and with the smart phones used to scan QR codes.

Abstract: A smart speaker system is used as an emergency notification system. The smart speaker has a loudspeaker, a microphone, a visual display, processing capability, and an emergency flasher in the same enclosure. The smart speaker is in communication with a network-connected server providing at least distribution of emergency notification messages to appropriate clients. The amount of audio processing shared between the smart speaker and the server may vary, depending on the requirements of the installation site. Once an emergency voice communication is detected in the microphone output, the system generates a confirmation message that is played over the loudspeaker. Upon detection of an appropriate voice response from the user, the system generates an emergency response message, sends it to the distribution network, and activates the visual display, loudspeaker, and emergency flasher. Noise cancellation circuitry prevents loudspeaker interference with microphone output.

Abstract: A pair of subwoofer speakers mounted on a carrier in a ceiling speaker enclosure having a small acoustic port using an acoustic channel shell that extends from the enclosure, the output of which is directed by adjustable attachment of a director to the acoustic channel shell. An annular flange on the director is used to clamp to a bottom surface of a ceiling tile. The enclosure has braces for engaging grid members of a suspended ceiling support grid. The braces are independently extendable from the enclosure. The subwoofer speakers at least partially face each other. Vibration damping approaches are used. An audio controller may be used to control the phases of the audio signals to the subwoofer speakers to permit a push-pull synchronization strategy.

Abstract: An electronics rack crown for facilitating communications between a user of said electronics rack and a remote entity. The rack crown is responsive to door events and data inputs, externally visually signaling fault conditions in electronic modules mounted in the rack, automatically communicating alarms or anomalies via the Internet to the remote entity, providing an interchangeable user brand logo panel, and providing for configuration via an array of configuration DIP switches or by SD card. The electronics rack crown includes a framed video screen, at least one loudspeaker, and a microphone. An electronics compartment houses a PCB board that provides communications, data processing, executive functions, and audio and video signal processing.

Abstract: A smart phone with an application for electronically photographing a section of a patterned ceiling along with a color and grayscale calibration template surrounding the small speaker system installation site, storing the image, uploading the image to a computer that has color correction software, correcting the color of the image, and printing the image on a steel ring and a steel disc for magnetic attachment to a diffuser of a small ceiling speaker system.

Abstract: A corrugated plastic sheet with an acoustically effective material with fold lines as centerlines of V-shaped grooves between panels that can be folded by hand into a covered plastic acoustic enclosure, with or without additional corrugated plastic panels. The sheet has a speaker opening and a speaker support fixture, ring, or panel may assist in supporting the speaker on the enclosure. Foldable flanges and foldable narrow panels with adhesive strips, preferably with release layers, enable assembly of the covered enclosure without tools, other than for speaker installation. An amplifier attached to a panel of the enclosure, preferably on an external surface, is presented. An enclosure that supports more than one speaker is presented. The plastic acoustic enclosure can be shipped flat and unassembled and then assembled by a user. The enclosure is lightweight, and so ships economically and does not significantly burden automobiles in which such enclosures may be installed.

Abstract: A loudspeaker placement visualizer system includes a calibrated adjustable laser beam tool that can generate a beam cone angle corresponding to the predetermined sound dispersion angle of a loudspeaker. The tool is secured parallel to the central axis of the loudspeaker and adjusted to the predetermined sound dispersion angle to show what the acoustic coverage area of the loudspeaker will be in a particular venue. The laser beam projector has a cylindrical main body with an external reference indicator and a forward section that is rotatable relative to the main body to adjust the laser beam cone angle. The forward section has a calibrated scale proximate the reference indicator to enable the user to set and to see the beam cone angle. The tool may also be used during venue survey and acoustic design to determine the required sound dispersion angle of a loudspeaker to be installed.

Abstract: An electronics rack crown for facilitating communications between a user of said electronics rack and a remote entity. The rack crown is responsive to door events and data inputs, externally visually signaling fault conditions in electronic modules mounted in the rack, automatically communicating alarms or anomalies via the Internet to the remote entity, providing an interchangeable user brand logo panel, and providing for configuration via an array of configuration DIP switches or by SD card. The electronics rack crown includes a framed video screen, at least one loudspeaker, and a microphone. An electronics compartment houses a PCB board that provides communications, data processing, executive functions, and audio and video signal processing.

Abstract: A corrugated plastic sheet with fold lines, as centerlines of V-shaped grooves, that can be folded by hand into a plastic acoustic enclosure, with or without additional corrugated plastic panels. A speaker opening is provided in the sheet, and a speaker support fixture, ring, or panel may assist in supporting the speaker on the enclosure. Foldable flanges and foldable narrow panels with adhesive strips, preferably with release layers, enable assembly of the enclosure without tools, other than for speaker installation. An amplifier attached to a panel of the enclosure, preferably on an external surface, is presented. An enclosure that supports more than one speaker is presented. The plastic acoustic enclosure that can be shipped flat and unassembled and then assembled by a user. The enclosure is lightweight, and so ships economically and does not significantly burden automobiles in which such enclosures may be installed.

Abstract: A sound diffuser for a ceiling speaker system having a downward-facing (when installed) flat disc cover plate and a flat barrel flange that assists in clamping a ceiling tile. The downward facing surfaces of the disc cover plate and a flat ring releasably attached to, and covering, the barrel flange are printable surfaces. The ring and the disc are magnetically attractable and are held in place with magnets. The ring and the disc cover plate can be rotated to align patterns printed on the ring and the disc cover plate to align to a pattern on the ceiling and to each other. Three-dimensional printing of the ring and/or the disc cover plate is included. The diffuser is preferably used in conjunction with the SMALL CEILING SPEAKER SYSTEM of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/710,654, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.