Abstract: A system and method for delivering full-bandwidth sound to an audience in an audience space located in front of an acoustically reflective image screen such as a plasma, LCD, LED, or OLED screen. The sound delivery system provides for two separate and spatially displaced sound sources, namely, a high frequency loudspeaker for reproducing high frequency components of the sound associated with images displayed on the acoustically reflective image screen, and a separate low frequency loudspeaker for reproducing low frequency components of the image-associated sound.

Abstract: A boundary loaded acoustic testing system and method produces elevated amounts of acoustic energy in a defined test zone that can be utilized to induce vibrations in test articles that can fit within the test zone. The testing system and method is particularly suited to testing spacecraft and satellite components, such as solar panels, structural panels and dishes, having narrow dimensions in one plane, and which experience extreme vibrations during launch. A rigid boundary wall (15) is introduced into a space (12) and loudspeakers (11) direct acoustic energy at a test article (13) positioned in the test zone, which is a boundary-adjacent test zone (17) created immediately in front of the boundary wall. Preferably, the boundary wall (15) is situated in a lateral free field space to achieve a relatively narrow auto-correlation of the sound pressure fields in the test zone.

Abstract: A noise generator and method are provided for generating a test signal for measuring the performance of a loudspeaker over an operating broad band of frequencies ranging from low to high frequencies. A broadband random noise source is provided for generating broadband noise over the operating broad band of frequencies of the loudspeaker, and an impulsive noise source is additionally provided for generating random impulses of noise. The broadband noise and the randomly generated noise impulses are equalized to produce a composite noise signal having a desired crest factor as a function of frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying a responsive liquid held in a barrel or other liquid container includes a transducer for producing vibration energy within the audio frequency range in response to an audio signal input and a coupler affixed to the transducer such that vibration energy produced in the transducer is transferred to the coupling device. The coupling device has a pusher end that extends beyond the front plane of the transducer and that contacts and pushes against the barrel wall when the apparatus is tied to the barrel wall. By determining the resonances of the liquid-filled barrel, audio input signals having sufficiently high levels at determined resonant frequencies can be chosen to achieve a maximum response in the liquid contained in the barrel. The apparatus is particularly suited for the sonic aging of whisky.

Abstract: A noise generator and method are provided for generating a test signal for measuring the performance of a loudspeaker over an operating broad band of frequencies ranging from low to high frequencies. A broadband random noise source is provided for generating broadband noise over the operating broad band of frequencies of the loudspeaker, and an impulsive noise source is additionally provided for generating random impulses of noise. The broadband noise and the randomly generated noise impulses are equalized to produce a composite noise signal having a desired crest factor as a function of frequency.

Abstract: A method for correcting magnitude and phase distortion in open ear hearing devices includes determining the insertion effect of the hearing device (12) substantially at the ear drum (11) when in the ear. Both the magnitude and phase response of the complex insertion transfer function (ITF) are corrected when the transfer function to the ear drum substantially matches the transfer function without the hearing device in place.

Abstract: A method for correcting magnitude and phase distortion in open ear hearing devices includes determining the insertion effect of the hearing device (12) substantially at the ear drum (11) when in the ear. Both the magnitude and phase response of the complex insertion transfer function (ITF) are corrected when the transfer function to the ear drum substantially matches the transfer function without the hearing device in place.

Abstract: A method for correcting magnitude and phase distortion in open ear hearing devices includes determining the insertion effect of the hearing device substantially at the ear drum when in the ear. Both the magnitude and phase response of the complex insertion transfer function (ITF) are corrected when the transfer function to the ear drum substantially matches the transfer function without the hearing device in place.

Abstract: An acoustic control system for hospitality spaces includes a passive component (17) for producing a baseline reverberation time (RT) value within the space, and an active component (LN, MN, 15) for picking up sounds in the space (11) and reintroducing the sounds into the space such that the reintroduced sounds have an RT value and sound level capable of being adjusted and such that the resulting RT value can be adjusted to a relatively large value as compared to said baseline RT value.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system has a plurality of relatively small transducer elements configured in a closely spaced transducer array such that their acoustic outputs combine to produce a focused beam of sound in front of the array that is substantially uniform about the beams radiation axis. The transducer array lies in a plane and has a perimeter that approximates a circle, and will have fill-factor with respect to a circle circumscribing the array of at least approximately 70%. In one variation of the loudspeaker system, the transducer array is constructed in smaller transducer array modules that are operatively fitted together to produce a larger array.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system has a plurality of relatively small transducer elements configured in a closely spaced transducer array such that their acoustic outputs combine to produce a focused beam of sound in front of the array that is substantially uniform about the beams radiation axis. The transducer array lies in a plane and has a perimeter that approximates a circle, and will have fill-factor with respect to a circle circumscribing the array of at least approximately 70%. In one variation of the loudspeaker system, the transducer array is constructed in smaller transducer array modules that are operatively fitted together to produce a larger array.

Abstract: A loudspeaker horn (11) having a throat end (13) for receiving acoustic power from aligned acoustic power sources (41, 43, 45), an elongated throat (33), and a flared section (17) is provided with grating lobe mitigation fins (27, 29) that extend substantially parallel to the propagation axis of the horn from the throat end toward the mouth end of the horn's flared section. The length of the grating lobe mitigation fins is established in accordance with the degree of suppression of the grating lobes produced by the aligned acoustic power sources that is desired.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system has of a plurality of relatively small, closely spaced transducer elements, the acoustic outputs of which combine to create a sound field. The transducer elements are individually controlled by a distributed input control circuit, which includes digital signal processing, to synthesize a sound field in front of the transducer elements with a characteristic beam width and direction.

Abstract: A loudspeaker horn (11) having a throat end (13) for receiving acoustic power from aligned acoustic power sources (41, 43, 45), an elongated throat (33), and a flared section (17) is provided with grating lobe mitigation fins (27, 29) that extend substantially parallel to the propagation axis of the horn from the throat end toward the mouth end of the horn's flared section. The length of the grating lobe mitigation fins is established in accordance with the degree of suppression of the grating lobes produced by the aligned acoustic power sources that is desired.