Abstract: An interferometric microphone calibrator for comparison calibrating a microphone, the interferometric microphone calibrator comprising: an interferometer in optical communication with a microphone and that produces an interferometer measurement light, communicates the interferometer measurement light to the microphone, and receives an interferometer backscattered light from the microphone, such that a sensitivity of a test microphone is interferometrically calibrated to a reference microphone from the interferometer backscattered light; a preamplifier-controller in electrical communication with the microphone, and that receives a driver signal from a microphone driver and drives the microphone driver; the microphone driver in electrical communication with the preamplifier-controller and that receives a driver control signal from a calibration controller and produces the driver signal based on the driver control signal; and a calibration controller in electrical communication with the microphone driver and tha

Abstract: An electronic device may include: a memory; a sound sensor; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive, from the sound sensor, sound data including a first piece of data corresponding to a first frequency band and a second piece of data corresponding to a second frequency band different from the first frequency band; receive voice data related to a voice of a registered user from the memory; perform voice identification by comparing the first piece of data and the second piece of data with the voice data related to the voice of the registered user; and determine an output based on a result of the voice identification.

Abstract: A digital signal processing method for ambient sound acoustic dosimetry. Strength of a microphone signal generated by a watch worn by a user is determined and converted into a sound sample having units for sound noise exposure. This is repeated multiple times to produce a time sequence of sound samples that is written to a secure database access to which is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting abnormal vibrations of a rotor includes a vibration information receiver configured to receive at least one type of information among vibration information regarding one or more dimensions distinguishing locations and directions of the rotor and rotor rotation information including a number of rotations of the rotor, a multivariate management index calculator configured to calculate multivariate management indexes from the vibration information regarding the one or more dimensions, and an operation index extractor configured to determine an abnormality in vibration characteristics of the rotor when a Hotelling's T-squared value is greater than an upper control limit and extracts an operation index causing the abnormality in the vibration characteristics of the rotor from one or more operation indexes. An abnormal vibration in a rotor is detected based on four-dimensional (4D) vibration information distinguishing locations and directions of the rotor.

Abstract: A hearing assistive device has an input transducer (12) converting sound into an audio signal applied to a processor (14; 65). The processor (14; 65) is configured to compensate a hearing loss of a user of the hearing assistive device and to output a compensated audio signal. An output transducer (16; 65) converts the compensated audio signal into sound. The hearing assistive device (10) further comprises a wireless transceiver (21) enabling audio streaming from an external device (30) to the hearing assistive device, an attenuator (23) associated with said processor (14; 65) applying attenuation to the compensated audio signal, and an audio stream analyzer (22a) classifying the audio stream received via said wireless transceiver. The attenuator (23) is controlled in accordance to the audio stream classification from the audio stream analyzer (22a). The invention further provides a method of operating a hearing assistive device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sound level meter that may be removably coupled to a saw blade sharpening apparatus to aid in safe, reliable, reproducible and effective saw blade sharpening. The sound level meter is adapted to be removably attached to the saw blade sharpening apparatus and to provide accurate and reliable indication of interference between the saw blade and the saw blade sharpening stones. The sound level meter is capable of detecting interference even in the often noisy operating environment.

Abstract: A frequency measurement device includes a filter, a detecting module and a calculating module. The filter is configured to receive an input signal, and filter the input signal to generate a signal under measurement. The detecting module is configured to detect a plurality of wave peaks or a plurality of wave troughs of the signal under measurement through a second order differentiator, so as to generate a plurality of detecting signals. The detecting signals correspond to the wave peaks or the wave troughs respectively. The calculating module is configured to receive the detecting signals, and calculate a frequency of the signal under measurement according to the detecting signals.

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: A method and related apparatus are described for generating acoustic signals for use in a vibratory seismic survey, including at least two different sweep signals for the control of at least two different types of vibrators; and matching the phases of the different sweep signals at a transition frequency from one sweep signal to another.

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: A method of testing an elongate wooden element includes injecting an input acoustic signal into the element, detecting a return acoustic signal at a surface of the element, and determining a spectral profile for the return signal. In at least a predetermined range in the spectral profile, each resonance peak is detected whose amplitude exceeds a first predetermined value, and from the resonance peaks so detected the number of higher peaks is determined whose amplitude exceeds 3 dB. For each of said higher peaks a quality factor Q is calculated, a mean quality value Qm is determined, and Qm is then compared with a predetermined value to provide an indication of the presence or absence of external decay of the element. A ratio R of the number of higher peaks to the number of resonance peaks detected, and the statistical spread S of the average Q for the spectral profile, are calculated and compared with a predetermined boundary function Fn(R,S) to determine acceptability or unacceptability of the pole.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus are described for generating acoustic signals for use in a vibratory seismic survey, including at least two different sweep signals for the control of at least two different types of vibrators; and matching the phases of the different sweep signals at a transition frequency from one sweep signal to another.

Abstract: Systems and methods allowing for the automatic control and scheduling of a staining apparatus for biological samples on slides present within the apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, the actions of a robot coupled to the staining apparatus, which performs some of the staining tasks on the individual slides in accordance with their respective protocols, may be prioritized and scheduled. In some embodiments, the scheduling may result in increasing or maximizing the throughput of slides. In some embodiments, robot scheduling ensures that the individual slides are processed substantially within the tolerances specified by their respective protocols. In some embodiments, the robot scheduler may respond to spontaneous user actions and adaptively schedule or re-schedule robot actions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an ultra low power dosimeter assembly. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may comprise a low power voltage source and a table circuit. The table circuit may be adapted to convert an input voltage to a second voltage level. The second voltage level may correspond to noise dose. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may also comprise a switch adapted to trigger a control circuit. The control circuit may provide progressive attenuation of an output signal as the second voltage level increases. In certain embodiments, the control circuit may also be adapted to send one or more warning signals to a user of the ultra low power dosimeter. The one or more warning signals may be sent when the control circuit determines the second voltage level has reached one or more pre-determined threshold voltage levels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for in-situ measurement of vibrational energy applied to a wafer in a process bath of a vibrational cleaning system. The apparatus may be made up of a test wafer comprising an array of pressure sensing elements disposed thereon for monitoring power level variation of a time-varying pressure wave. The time-varying pressure wave is indicative of vibrational energy that would be applied to a wafer in the process bath in the position of the test wafer.

Abstract: In a method for determining the state of a road during driving of a motor vehicle, the sound which is generated when a vehicle tire rolls on an underlying surface is sensed. A frequency signal is determined by means of a sound level signal which describes the sound, and is divided into at least two sub-zones by means of at least one limiting frequency. The sub-zones are each assigned to an associated frequency band, and an intensity value is determined for each of at least two frequency bands from the assigned sub-zone of the frequency signal. The intensity value is characteristic of the sound intensity which is present in a frequency band. An intensity ratio is formed from two intensity values by dividing the first intensity value of the first frequency band by the second intensity value of the second frequency band, and is used to determine the state of a road.

Abstract: The invention produces a change to the acoustic input power applied to a liquid in a vessel. The magnitude and shape of the resulting change in the ultrasonic field in the vessel is measured and this data is used to determine the ultrasonic activity in the vessel. This measured ultrasonic activity is displayed as a measure of the performance of the system and/or it is fed back to the ultrasonic transmitter to control or maintain the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for measuring the surface properties of polishing pads using noncontact ultrasonic reflectance. An ultrasonic probe is located over the polishing surface and configured to both transmit an ultrasonic signal to the polishing surface and receive a modified ultrasonic signal from the polishing surface without contacting the polishing surface. A subsystem coupled to the ultrasonic probe is configured to determine a surface property of the polishing pad from the modified signal.

Abstract: A noise dosimeter for an appliance including a speaker to broadcast signals includes a filter receiving signals to be broadcast and having a transfer function generally modeling the frequency response of the appliance to provide output approximating noise appearing at the speaker. Signal processing circuitry processes the filter output before it is accumulated by an accumulator. The value of the accumulator represents a user's exposure to noise when using the appliance.

Abstract: An acoustic viscometer and method for determining both the kinematic viscosity and the intrinsic viscosity of a liquid which includes an acoustic wave generator, a transmitting piezoelectric transducer, a receiving piezoelectric transducer, and a phase-shift detector. The transmitting piezoelectric transducer is positioned so as to be in contact with the liquid and is operably connected to the acoustic wave generator. The transmitting piezoelectric transducer propagates a longitudinal wave of known frequency through the liquid. The receiving piezoelectric transducer is spaced apart from the transmitting piezoelectric transducer and detects the longitudinal wave and a corresponding shear wave propagated through the liquid.

Abstract: Determininig a frequency at which a resonator resonates comprising: driving an acoustic transmitter for applying an acoustic signal to the interior of a resonator by scanning through a first range of frequencies in substantially equidistant steps of a first size; detecting a signal from an acoustic receiver arranged to detect the amplitude of an acoustic signal within the resonator produced by driving the acoustic transmitter over the first range of frequencies; determining a frequency at which a maximum occurs in the detected signal for the first range of frequencies; driving the acoustic transmitter by scanning through a second range of frequencies containing the determined frequency from the first range of frequencies, the second range being smaller than the first range, and scanning through the second range of frequencies in substantially equidistant steps of a second size which is smaller than the steps of the first size; detecting a signal from the acoustic receiver produced by driving the acoustic tran

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic processor for the treatment, for example, dispersing, emulsifying, dissolving, mixing or deagglomerating of materials by the application of ultrasound thereto, wherein said ultrasonic processor comprises a hollow elongate enclosure member with a plurality of transducers fixed to the exterior of said elongate enclosure member along the length thereof; each said transducer being capable of applying ultrasonic waves to materials passing through the interior of said hollow elongate enclosure member; and control means for control and/or regulating the frequency of such ultrasonic waves produced by said transducers; and sensing means for the determination of the nature of the materials passing through the interior of said hollow elongate enclosure member, wherein said sensing means actuates said transducers to produce ultrasonic waves at the prescribed frequency in accordance with the nature of said materials to be treated.

Abstract: A vibration wave detector, having a receiver for receiving vibration waves such as sound waves and so on to be propagated in a medium, a resonant unit having a plurality of cantilever resonators each having such a length as to resonate at an individual predetermined frequency, a retaining rod for retaining the resonant unit, a vibration intensity detector for detecting the vibration intensity, for each predetermined frequency, of each of the resonators, by the vibration waves received by the receiver and propagated to the resonant unit by way of the retaining rod.

Abstract: A digital programmable ultrasonic generator for driving an ultrasonic transducer includes a computer for receiving and storing a plurality of selectable programs. The programs are indicative of different modes of operation. A profile generator is coupled to the computer to receive programs and to produce a digital reference voltage indicative of a voltage profile to be generated for the mode selected. A digital frequency controller is coupled to a direct digital synthesizer for producing a predetermined frequency in response to a programmed frequency command from the computer. A process controller receives the output of the direct digital synthesizer as a voltage signal having the desired frequency and modifies the voltage depending on the mode of operation and voltage desired before driving a power amplifier coupled to the transducer to be driven.

Abstract: An acoustic cell includes multiple acoustic cavities fluidly coupled together. At least two of the acoustic cavities have unequal lengths and cross sections. End segments of the acoustic cell are uniformly cylindrically shaped or conically shaped. A driver transducer at one end of the acoustic cell and a receiver transducer at another end of the acoustic cell are acoustically isolated from the acoustic cell. A pair of preferably metallic isolation diaphragms transmit acoustic signals to and from the transducers without significantly altering the phase-frequency characteristics of the acoustic signals. The acoustic cell operates as an acoustic resonator operating at frequencies lower than any possible self-resonance frequencies of the isolation diaphragms or the driver and receiver transducers. When a binary gas is flowed through the cell, a processor detects a resonant frequency of the gas within the cell to determine a composition of the gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to control systems for the control of noise and vibration. Resonators with adjustable properties are used in conjunction with an electronic control system to change the noise or vibration in a structure. The invention relates particularly to the control of quasi-periodic noise or vibration comprising one or more harmonics by using one or more adaptive resonators.

Abstract: A frequency division, energy comparison, source detection signal processing system which decomposes a wide-band signal into a plurality of narrow frequency band components, generates the energy envelope of each of those narrow band components, determines the envelope correlation coefficients, and detects the presence of a source contributing to the wide-band signal from the correlation coefficients.

Abstract: This invention defines a combined inspection procedure using ultrasonic techniques for detection of hydrogen attack damage in material. The procedure comprises an initial scanning procedure for locating areas suspected of being damaged by hot hydrogen. The initial scanning procedure is a pattern-based backscattering test that provides a pattern which is classified as falling within at least one of four backscattering pattern category types. Follow-up test procedures based upon the pattern type are then performed. These tests include spectrum analysis, velocity ratio, spatial averaging backscattering, and frequency dependence for assessing whether the material has hydrogen attack damage and the extent of hydrogen damage in the suspect areas. Should hydrogen attack damage be identified, the velocity ratio and spectrum analysis tests can then be used to determine mechanical properties of the hydrogen attack damaged material.

Abstract: A frequency division, energy comparison signal processing system for detecting the presence of, and separating the contributions from, sources that compose a wide-band sound signal, in which the system divides at least part of the wide-band sound signal into a number of discrete narrow frequency band components, generates the energy envelope of each of those components, normalizes the envelopes, multiplies each normalized envelope with each of the other normalized envelopes to obtain a plurality of envelope correlation coefficients for each frequency band, and then identifies from the correlation coefficients a sound source seed frequency band component and then, using the seed, identifies the remaining frequency components of a sound source.

Abstract: A frequency division, energy comparison processing system which decomposes a wide-band signal into a plurality of narrow frequency band components, generates the energy envelope of each of those narrow band components, and compares a function of each energy envelope with the same function of each of the other energy envelopes to obtain a pattern of the function comparisons indicative of at least one of the sources contributing to the wide-band signal.

Abstract: The system uses a tunable inductor in series with the piezoelectric crystal excitation transducer in the probe which has a flux modulation coil. The bias current through this flux modulation coil is controlled by the system. It is controlled such that the inductance of the tunable inductor cancels out the capacitive reactance of the load impedance presented by the probe when the probe is being driven by a driving signal which matches the mechanical resonance frequency of the probe. The resulting overall load impedance is substantially purely resistive. The system measures the phase angle and monitors the power level. The system uses this information to adjust the bias current flowing through the flux modulation coil to maintain the substantially purely resistive load impedance for changing power levels. This information is also used to adjust the frequency of the driving signal to track changing mechanical resonance conditions for the probe at different power levels.

Abstract: Sound intensity is determined by simultaneously measuring instantaneous acoustic pressure and instantaneous particle velocity at a single point. A condenser microphone having a vibrating diaphragm generates an output voltage proportional to the instantaneous acoustic pressure. A laser Doppler vibrometer measures the velocity of the vibrating diaphragm and a Doppler frequency tracker converts the velocity measurement into another output voltage which is proportional to the instantaneous acoustic particle velocity. The sound intensity is then calculated from the known components.

Abstract: A zero-crossing accoustical signal analyzer includes a plurality of parallel-connected adjacently tuned filter channels to separate an incoming accoustical signal into a plurality of adjacent sub-bands. Zero crossing analysis is provided for each of the sub-bands to determine the time period between successive zero crossings of signal components within each of the sub-bands. The reciprocal of the time periods from each sub-band is then simultaneously provided on a frequency vs. time display. Each filter channel also produces a signal proportional to the amplitude of signal frequency components within the respective sub-band for producing a frequency vs. amplitude display.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic transducer which includes a pressure tight vessel with a window in the vessel which is transparent to acoustic wave energy. A gas is disposed within the vessel, while an electromechanical transducer is located within the vessel at an antinode for a resonant wave of the gas. A port communicates with the interior of the vessel, with a pressure control coupled to the port and to a source of the gas for controlling the pressure of the fluid within the vessel.

Abstract: A transducer receives notes from a musical instrument and converts them into electrical signals. The signals are passed to filter banks containing filters having passbands in different octave ranges. The filtered signals in each bank are added and translated in frequency to the frequency range of the highest octave of interest. The translated signals are then passed through a plurality of filters each of which is tuned to pass directly the frequency of one pitch in that octave. Indicators are attached to the pitch filters to indicate the presence of a signal passing therethrough. Also, additional indicators may be attached to the octave filters to indicate the octave from which the signal originated.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic impedance bridge for measuring the acoustic impedance of the human ear over a predetermined frequency range compares the magnitude and phase of the variable-frequency sound driving both the human ear and the artificial ear (acoustic coupler).