Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds and methods for inducing ripeness in fruit, increasing the organoleptic properties of fruit, and/or improving desirable characteristics in fruit.

Abstract: A voice coil former for an audio transducer is described. The voice coil former has a corrugated circumferential surface for providing improved rigidity. The corrugated shape of the former provides sufficient rigidity such that unwanted resonance is eliminated from the audible range. In addition, the corrugated shape of former may also provide sufficient rigidity such that no additional supporting member is needed.

Abstract: A support member for a voice coil former in an audio transducer is described. The support member comprises a bridge between the inner surface of the voice coil former and a radiating surface, such as a diaphragm or cone, which is disposed in the center of the voice coil former. The support member provides added rigidity to reduce wobble during operation of the transducer.

Abstract: A duct design and methods for designing ducts are described herein. The duct has a profile described by an equation that balances momentum of the fluid flowing through the duct with an adverse pressure gradient. The duct profile is configured to: (i) maintain the fluid's momentum to be greater than the adverse pressure gradient present at any location within the duct, such that no boundary layer separation occurs; and (ii) achieve a fluid exit momentum of approximately zero.

Abstract: A duct design and methods for designing ducts are described herein. The duct has a profile described by an equation that balances momentum of the fluid flowing through the duct with an adverse pressure gradient. The duct profile is configured to: (i) maintain the fluid's momentum to be greater than the adverse pressure gradient present at any location within the duct, such that no boundary layer separation occurs; and (ii) achieve a fluid exit momentum of approximately zero.

Abstract: A W-shaped radiating surface for a transducer assembly is described. The radiating surface has a center portion and an outer portion. The center portion is disposed in the center of a voice coil former and has a first sloping region and a second sloping region that meet at a first angle. The outer portion is disposed outside the center of the voice coil former and has a third sloping region and a fourth sloping region, which meet at a second angle. The center portion couples with the outer portion at a third angle to form a radiating surface that has a W-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A support member for a voice coil former in an audio transducer is described. The support member comprises a bridge between the inner surface of the voice coil former and a radiating surface, such as a diaphragm or cone, which is disposed in the center of the voice coil former. The support member provides added rigidity to reduce wobble during operation of the transducer.

Abstract: A vehicle media system for use in conjunction with a portable media device is set forth. The vehicle media system includes an input module that is mountable, for example, at a console between the driver's seat and front passenger seat of the vehicle cabin, so that it may be manipulated by a user pursuant to input of system commands. A display module is mountable at a different location within the vehicle cabin, such as on the dashboard. A main module is connected to cooperate with the display module and the input module to facilitate user interaction with the portable media device.

Abstract: A speaker system is provided, including a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.

Abstract: A speaker system is provided, including a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.

Abstract: A vehicle media system for use in conjunction with a portable media device is set forth. The vehicle media system includes an input module that is mountable, for example, at a console between the driver's seat and front passenger seat of the vehicle cabin, so that it may be manipulated by a user pursuant to input of system commands. A display module is mountable at a different location within the vehicle cabin, such as on the dashboard. A main module is connected to cooperate with the display module and the input module to facilitate user interaction with the portable media device.

Abstract: The invention is a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.

Abstract: The invention is a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.

Abstract: The invention is a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.

Abstract: This invention provides a transducer having at least two surrounds supporting a cylinder. With at least two surrounds, the transducer may handle more power. This increased power may be used to drive the voice coil that is wrapped around the cylinder enabling a greater excursion range of the diaphragm. With a greater excursion range, the transducer may operate at low frequency as well as mid to high frequencies. The two surrounds may also be coupled to the cylinder increasing stability of the cylinder. With the two suspensions stabilizing the cylinder, the side-to-side movement of the cylinder may be reduced minimizing the chance of the voice coil short-circuiting with the other electrical and/or mechanical circuits in the transducer. In addition, the cylinder made a substantially rigid material may better support the two flexible surrounds so that the two surrounds do not induce wobbling in the diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention is a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.