Abstract: A microphone has a microphone capsule, wherein the microphone includes a test arrangement, the test arrangement including an undervoltage detector, a test signal generator unit and an adder. The microphone capsule may be connected to the adder via a first electrical line, a supply voltage line being connected to the undervoltage detector via a second electrical line. In the undervoltage detector the operating DC voltage of the microphone may be comparable with an internal reference DC voltage, the undervoltage detector being electrically connected to the test signal generator unit, and the test signal generator unit may be electrically connected to the adder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.

Abstract: A vibration monitoring and analysis system may include a transducer configured to convert sensed vibration into an alternating current. A processing module may analyze the alternating current and produce an output configured to convey information regarding characteristics of the alternating current. One or more analysis modules may be utilized to compare a waveform of the sensed vibration to known patterns, for example to identify known events and/or conditions.

Abstract: A first determination unit performs a process (first process) of sequentially dividing an intensity value constituting first data by a reference intensity value to calculate an intensity ratio and determining whether the intensity ratio exceeds a first threshold (steps S3 and S4). When a predetermined period has elapsed, a second determination unit calculates an average change rate of the first data in the predetermined period to determine whether the average change rate is within a predetermined range (steps S9 and S10). When it is determined that the average change rate is within the range, the reference intensity value is updated and lowered (step S11). When the reference intensity value is updated, the first determination unit performs the first process by using the updated reference intensity value in the next predetermined period.

Abstract: A human presence sensor unit in which an ultrasonic wave sensor is mounted is fixed to a frame sheet metal of an image forming apparatus with a pedestal interposed therebetween. The pedestal is made of a synthetic resin material, and the frame sheet metal is made of a metal material. As the pedestal and the frame sheet metal are made of different materials, a difference in the acoustic impedance is produced between the pedestal and the frame sheet metal.

Abstract: An improved structure of pressure gauge includes a bottom case, a pressure measurement assembly, a rotating assembly, a fulcrum piece, a coil spring, a scale meter, and an outer case. The pressure measurement assembly is installed above the bottom case and the surface thereof is shaped with concentric circular waves. The rotating assembly includes a sleeve body and a central rod. A fulcrum piece is installed across between the sleeve body and the central rod. A plurality of through holes and a coil retaining base are provided on the fulcrum piece. One end of the coil spring is screwed onto the coil slot and the other end thereof is installed on the coil retaining base. The outer case is located in the outer area of the bottom case and the fulcrum piece. A transparent cover body is installed on top of the outer case.

Abstract: A method for using an earpiece (800) in a work environment is provided. The earpiece (800) attenuates sound from the work environment to the user's ear. The earpiece (800) includes an ear canal microphone (820) for measuring a sound pressure level in an ear canal of the user. Sound pressure levels are measured periodically while in the work environment. Each measured sound pressure levels is stored in memory (127) of the earpiece with time and location information. The sound pressure level information is downloaded to a database (1704) when the earpiece is removed from the user ear for recharging. The sound pressure level information is analyzed and any potential noise compliance issues in the work environment are identified.

Abstract: An acoustic measurement device in an air flow and subjected to a noise source, the device including: a base having a surface in contact with the air flow, a first microphone which is mounted flush with the surface, a second and a third microphone which are mounted on either side of the first microphone, each, at the bottom of a cavity opening onto the surface, and where each of the second and third microphones is covered with a noise-reducing element, the second and the third microphones being assembled at a distance from the first microphone that is greater than the correlation length of the turbulent phenomenon in the frequency band studied, and a computer or processor provided for computing the power spectrum of the noise source from the signals detected by the three microphones.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to determine a defect on a product caused in a pressing process by applying a predetermined acoustic signal to an object to be inspected and then sensing propagation of the applied signal, and it is possible to improve inspection performance, using an acoustic sensor capable of sensing sounds in an audible band and a sound collector that collects sounds and prevents noise. Further, it is possible to prevent defective panels from being put into the following process line by inspecting panels produced in a panel production line.

Abstract: An acoustic coupling sensor 200 for a portable electronic device is described which includes an acoustic transmitter 22, a reference signal generator 20 coupled to the acoustic transmitter, and an acoustic sensor 24 wherein in operation, the reference signal generator is operable to transmit the reference signal to the acoustic transmitter, to detect an acoustic level of the transmitted reference signal via the acoustic sensor, and wherein the detected reference signal level corresponds to a value of acoustic coupling between the acoustic transmitter and the acoustic sensor. The acoustic coupling sensor may be used for example in a mobile phone to detect acoustic leakage in order to adapt the acoustic level in the mobile phone during use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inspection method for a lithium ion secondary battery in which an electrolyte and an electrode group are disposed in one container, the electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, wherein a sensor for detecting acoustic emission is attached to the outside of the container and acoustic emission generated in the battery container is detected upon provision of charge or discharge current and stopping of provision thereof between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Specifically, the amplitude intensity of the acoustic emission is measured that is generated upon provision of charge-discharge currents having different values, linear approximation is conducted for the charge-discharge current value and the amplitude intensity of the acoustic emission, and the number of times of charge-discharge cycles that has been provided so far to the battery is estimated.

Abstract: A photoacoustic detector wherein control circuits compensate for long term variations of components therein including a light source and sensing microphones. The control circuits intermittently energize the source to evaluate changes in at least source resistance. The control circuits intermittently energize an acoustic generator to evaluate changes in one or more generator responsive microphones.

Abstract: A method of indicating a medium misfeed along a medium transport path comprising one or more rollers for conveying the medium along the medium transport path; a microphone for detecting the sound of the conveyed medium and producing a signal representing the sound; a processor for producing sound values from the signal; providing a sensitivity setting responsive to the sound values; and indicating the medium misfeed responsive to the sound values and the sensitivity setting.

Abstract: In a method for alerting to the wear of a tire that includes a tread strip equipped with at least one circumferential groove, the running noise made by the tire running along a ground is measured, from the measured running noise, a noise emitted in a predetermined range of frequencies close to a predetermined resonant frequency of a portion of the circumferential groove during running is isolated, the amplitude of the isolated noise is measured, and the measured amplitude is compared against a predetermined alert threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A test battery method and system for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

Abstract: Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products.

Abstract: Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products.

Abstract: A method of indicating a medium jam along a medium transport path comprising one or more rollers for use in conveying the medium along the medium transport path; a microphone for detecting the sound of the medium being conveyed and producing a signal representing the sound; a processor for producing sound values from the signal and computing a moving window sum responsive to the sound values; computing a high amplitude count responsive to the sound values; and computing a post roller sum responsive to the sound values; and indicating the medium jam responsive to the moving window sum, high amplitude count, or post roller sum.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to accurately detect a state of an object to be heated in a cooking vessel and effectively avoid cooking failure. An induction heating section (13) inductively heats a cooking vessel (11). A vibration detecting section (14) detects a vibration of the cooking vessel (11) via a top plate (12). A vibration waveform extracting section (15) extracts a vibration waveform of a frequency component having a frequency equal to a predetermined multiplication product of an induction heating frequency, from a waveform of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting section (14). A determining section (16) determines a state of an object to be heated, based on the vibration waveform extracted by the vibration waveform extracting section (15).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reconstructing a sound field. The method comprises receiving measured values indicative of a first acoustic quantity measured at a set of measurement locations; defining a set of virtual source locations; and computing a second acoustic quantity for at least one target location from one or more wave functions each representative of a respective sound field originating from a respective one of the defined set of virtual source locations; wherein the one or more wave functions are weighted by respective one or more weighting factors, and wherein computing comprises determining the one or more weighting factors from a least-norm fit of the one or more wave functions to the received measured values.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for measuring the strength of ultrasonic waves are provided. They are capable of measuring the strength of ultrasonic waves easily and at low cost without using a sound pressure meter. The ultrasonic wave strength measuring apparatus has a particle source soaked in a cleaning liquid, an oscillator to generate the ultrasonic waves whose strength is going to be measured to vibrate the particle source so that particles are eluted from the particle source into the cleaning liquid, a counter to count the number of particles in the cleaning liquid, and an operation unit to find the strength of the applied ultrasonic waves based on the counted number of particles.

Abstract: A method of operating a media player includes playing back audio media. During the step of playing back audio media, a maximum volume parameter is refined for the playing back of the media by the media player. The refining is based at least in part on the playing back of audio media during a time period prior to executing the maximum volume refining step. After a period of time, the maximum volume refining step is repeated. The refining is configured to prevent/minimize harm to hearing of the media player user based, for example, on the actual volume of media playback and time/duration profiles provided by occupational safety and/or other organizations.

Abstract: Apparatus for detection of human falls comprises: an acceleration detector, for detecting vibration events, typically placed on a floor, a microphone, located in association with the acceleration detector for detection of corresponding sound events, and a classification unit to classify concurrent events from the microphone and the acceleration detector, thereby to determine whether a human fall is indicated. If the event appears to be a human fall, then an alarm is raised.

Abstract: A method for measuring the amount of material removed from a target in pulsed laser ablation is provided. The method includes generating a laser beam with a laser generator for ablating the target; driving the laser generator with a delay generator; acquiring the acoustic signal generated when the target is being ablated by the laser beam and generating an electrical signal accordingly with a microphone; amplifying the electrical signal generated by the microphone with a pre-amplifier; displaying an acoustic waveform indicating the intensity of the acoustic signal generated when the target is being ablated by the laser beam with a digital oscilloscope connected to the delay generator and the pre-amplifier; and deducing the amount of material removed from the target in the pulsed laser ablation according to the acoustic waveform in real time. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a sound pressure level dose at an ear are provided. A system includes an audio transducer which outputs a sound signal is placed within an ear to receive sound at the ear. A sound level threshold detector determines whether a sound pressure level of the sound signal is at a minimum level and outputs a sound pressure level signal corresponding to the sound pressure level when the sound pressure level is not at the minimum level. A time period is calculated during which the sound pressure level is not at the minimum threshold level. A listening fatigue calculator determines whether a cumulative effect of exposure to the sound signal at the ear over the time period will cause harm to the ear. At least a portion of the system is disposed in situ at the ear.

Abstract: A driver for applying an oscillating stress to a subject undergoing a medical imaging procedure, such as with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), includes a passive driver located in the bore of the magnet and in direct contact with the skin of the subject. A remotely located active driver includes a linear motor and a sealed diaphragm that produces acoustic pressure waves in response to an applied current. The pressure waves are directed through a tube and into a chamber formed within the passive driver. Vibrations produced in response to the pressure waves create shear waves that are directed into the subject to aid in the imaging procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

Abstract: A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control (426) static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A medium fatigue detection apparatus and a medium fatigue detection method detect fatigue of a sheet-like medium. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic sending device for oscillating ultrasonic waves as burst waves, an ultrasonic receiving device, and a sensed intensity detector. The ultrasonic sending device and ultrasonic receiving device are arranged to oppose each other and allow a sheet-like medium to pass between them. The ultrasonic waves sent from the ultrasonic sending device are incident on a principal surface of the sheet-like medium at a predetermined incident angle ?. Fatigue of the medium is detected by measuring a variation in sensed intensity of the ultrasonic waves having passed through the sheet-like medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring sound intensity emitted by a vibrating surface (10). The apparatus includes a probe (25) with three miniature microphones in the side-by-side arrangement, attached to a straight supporting tube (23). The three microphones are matched in phase and amplitude and form a geometric straight line. The supporting tube (23) with the geometric straight line of microphones is positioned perpendicularly close to the vibrating surface (10). The geometric straight line of microphones can be extended to intersect the vibrating surface at the measurement point (30). The microphones are supported at the ends of narrow tubes (22) attached perpendicularly to the supporting tube (23). The tubes contain wires from the microphones that are collected inside the supporting tube (23) and connected to the instrumentation (100). The sign of computed sound-intensity spectra and sound intensity indicates the direction of sound-intensity flow at the vibrating surface.

Abstract: A sound focusing mechanism for generating a focused source of sound, which can be used to identify the transmission loss of an object or identify areas of acoustic or thermal leakage is disclosed. The sound focusing mechanism includes a housing having at least one wall formed from a material having high sound insulating properties. A sound generating device for generating a sound is located with a central cavity within the housing. An actuator assembly is operatively connected to the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device. The wall is configured to limit the transmission of the sound there through such that a focused beam or pulse sound is emitted from the mechanism through the opening.

Abstract: A system and method of testing the horn of a railroad locomotive wherein a fixed sensing station and a movable sensing station are provided adjacent a railroad track such that front and rear sensing of the horn decibels occurs simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and reporting sound pressure level exposure for a user of a first communication device (104) is implemented in one embodiment when the device measures a sound pressure level (SPL) of the surrounding environment. The device stores at least the SPL measurement in a memory, producing an SPL exposure record, and displays a visual representation of the SPL exposure record on a display screen (212). In another embodiment, the SPL is measured by a second communication device (102) and combined with a known SPL for an output audio transducer (306) of the second device, producing a user sound exposure level. The user sound exposure level is transmitted to the first communication device. The user is notified when the user sound exposure level exceeds a predetermined threshold. A server (112) may also be used to track SPLs over time and recommend corrective action when exposure limits are exceeded.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of reconstructing a sound field. The method comprises receiving measured values indicative of a first acoustic quantity measured at a set of measurement locations; defining a set of virtual source locations; and computing a second acoustic quantity for at least one target location from one or more wave functions each representative of a respective sound field originating from a respective one of the defined set of virtual source locations; wherein the one or more wave functions are weighted by respective one or more weighting factors, and wherein computing comprises determining the one or more weighting factors from a least-norm fit of the one or more wave functions to the received measured values.

Abstract: A sound focusing mechanism for generating a focused source of sound, which can be used to identify the transmission loss of an object or identify areas of acoustic leakage is disclosed. The sound focusing mechanism includes a housing having at least one wall formed from a material having high sound insulating properties. A sound generating device for generating a sound is located within a central cavity within the housing. An actuator assembly is operatively connected to the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device. The wall is configured to limit the transmission of the sound there through such that a focused beam or pulse sound is emitted from the mechanism through the opening.

Abstract: A vibration state detecting method at a machining stage of a work and/or tool, includes the steps of mounting the work and/or tool on a predetermined rotational device and measuring a deviation size and/or deviation average speed corresponding to each rotational number of the work and/or tool; presetting the deviation size and/or the deviation average speed measured by using the rotational device, a vibration amplitude and/or vibration average speed when each machine tool having a work and/or tool mounted thereon is rotated, with a common unbalance amount and at a rotational speed, and proportional fixed number of both thereof; and calculating a vibration amplitude and/or vibration average speed corresponding to each number of rotations when the work and/or tool is mounted on each machine tool by using a measurement value of the deviation size and/or deviation average speed of using rotational device, and the proportional fixed number.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of monitoring hearing health comprising: measuring a first acoustic sound pressure level due to an ambient audio signal; measuring a second acoustic sound pressure level due to an emitted audio signal from a speaker; calculating a total sound pressure level dosage, where the total sound pressure level dosage is calculated using the first acoustic sound pressure level and a first time span, and the second acoustic sound pressure level and a second time span associated, where the first time span is the time associated with the measured first acoustic sound pressure level and second time span is the time associated with the measured second acoustic sound pressure level; and sending a notification signal when total sound pressure level dosage is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: A level meter displaying method which is capable of changing the rate of change in the angle or position of an indicator in at least one particular input signal level range. A scale image obtained according to a function which nonlinearly varies with a signal level of the sound signal is displayed on a display. The signal level of the sound signal is converted into an indicator angle or indicator position of the level meter according to the function. A level image corresponding to the resulting indicator angle or indicator position is displayed on the display. A curve having at least two inflection points each of which is a boundary between a region where a rate of change of the indicator angle or the indicator position to be converted according to the function is larger, and a region where the indicator angle or the indicator position is smaller is generated by the function.

Abstract: The elastic wave measurement apparatus, when a high-frequency burst signal is input to the first ball SAW device, an input destination of the high-frequency burst signal is switched in sequence to another one of the ball SAW devices before a detection time at which an output signal from the first ball SAW device is detected, and at and after the detection time, output signals of the response characteristics of those ball SAW devices from the first ball SAW device to the last ball SAW device are detected in sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to the non-destructive measurement of components, in particular the functional assessment of the bonding of cast-in parts, eg. in pistons for internal combustion engines. With such a measurement or functional assessment, it is a question of assessing the function and completeness of the bonding between the base material and the material cast in or otherwise joined. The quality of the component or its suitability for a specific purpose can thus be assessed and/or quality monitoring of the production process, e.g. in the foundry or during production, can take place. According to the invention, this purpose is served by a multi-stage correction procedure, wherein the measured values ascertained by means of a suitably devised measuring arrangement and method, e.g.

Abstract: In a nondestructive testing apparatus for testing normality of a blade root in a steam turbine installed in a nuclear plant or a thermal plant, an ultrasonic probe and an encoder can be mounted at the outside by only removing a casing of the steam turbine, without the necessity of withdrawing a turbine rotor, so that an automatic testing can be performed by rotating the steam turbine. Since the testing result can be digitally stored, reliability of the testing is improved. Furthermore, size of the testing apparatus is highly reduced for a tester to conveniently carry and install the testing apparatus alone. As a result, installation time and the whole testing time can be minimized.

Abstract: There is provided a method for measuring in-situ the acoustic attenuation obtained by a hearing protection device worn by a user, comprising: positioning the hearing protection device comprising a microphone oriented towards the user's ear canal at the user's ear; positioning a cup-like measuring device comprising a loudspeaker oriented towards to user's ear and a microphone oriented towards to user's ear at the user's ear in such a manner that a closed space surrounding the hearing protection device is created by the measuring device; providing a test signal via the loudspeaker, capturing audio signals representative of the level of the test signal in the closed space by the microphone of the measuring device and capturing audio signals representative of the level of the test signal in the user's ear canal by the microphone of the hearing protection device; processing the audio signals captured by the microphone of the measuring device and the audio signals captured by the microphone of the hearing protecti

Abstract: A CPU generates the reference value (root mean squared value) of sound level and outputs it to a DSP, the DSP generates a measured value of sound level (root mean squared value), and compares thus-generated measured value of sound level (root mean squared value) with the reference value (root mean squared value) of sound level received from the CPU, and outputs a signal expressing the result of comparison to a display device, to thereby enable comparison of the measured value of sound level (root mean squared value) with the reference value (root mean squared value) of sound level, every time the sampling takes place in synchronization with the sampling frequency in the A/D converter.

Abstract: A device for measuring, documenting, and issuing citations for noise violations comprises a mobile device for measuring the decibel sound level from a sound source, for measuring the distance from the device to the source, for capturing an image or video of the sound source, and determining whether the sound source exceeds a user-predetermined level. The device may be in the form of a hand-held gun-shaped device wherein the user actuates the trigger to record an image or video of the sound source, the decibel sound level, and the distance between the device and the source. After the data is collected, the sound-measuring device is attached to a download component. The download component accepts data from the sound-measuring component and allows the user to input additional data regarding the noise violation. The user may then use the download component to print a citation, which may include an image of the sound source.

Abstract: A chatter boundary system includes a measuring module, a comparison module, and a boundary module. The measuring module measures and collects samples of undulations in a manufactured part. The comparison module classifies a sound signal generated by the undulations as either noisy or quiet. The boundary module determines a continuous boundary between the noisy and quiet undulations based on the samples and the sound signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for monitoring exposure to impulse noise includes a sound-sensing device, such as a microphone or other type of pressure transducer, operable to sense impulse noise, and a storage module operable to store the waveform of the impulse noise sensed by the sound-sensing device. The sound-sensing device desirably is operable to sense impulses that are greater than 146 dB, such as impulses created by construction machinery and firearms. The system also can include a processor operable to calculate one or more noise parameters of the impulse noise from the waveform, and a user interface program operable to display said one or more noise parameters selected by a user.

Abstract: A sound-detection and alerting system (SDAS) is designed for use in hospitals, offices, or other environments where excessive noise levels are of concern. The SDAS depends on several variables to trigger an alarm so that false alarms are kept to a minimum. A microphone circuit captures acoustic energy which is limited to specific frequencies by a bandpass filter. A comparator integrates the various frequencies and compares them to a threshold signal. A delay timer ensures that signals exceeding the threshold signal are persistent for a pre-determined period of time.