25-01-2011, 02:19 PM
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ABSTRACT
Audio spot lighting is a very recent technology that creates focused beams of sound similar to light beams coming out of a flashlight. By ‘shining’ sound to one location, specific listeners can be targeted with sound without others nearby hearing it. It uses a combination of non-linear acoustics and some fancy mathematics. But it is real and is fine to knock the socks of any conventional loud speaker. This acoustic device comprises a speaker that fires inaudible ultrasound pulses with very small wavelength which act in a manner very similar to that of a narrow column. The ultra sound beam acts as an airborne speaker and as the beam moves through the air gradual distortion takes place in a predictable way due to the property of non-linearity of air. This gives rise to audible components that can be accurately predicted and precisely controlled. Joseph Pompei’s Holosonic Research Labs invented the Audio Spotlight that is made of a sound processor, an amplifier and the transducer. The American Technology Corporation developed the Hyper Sonic Sound-based Directed Audio Sound System. Both use ultrasound based solutions to beam sound into a focused beam. Audio spotlight can be either directed at a particular listener or to a point where it is reflected.
The targeted or directed audio technology is going to a huge commercial market in entertainment and consumer electronics and technology developers are scrambling to tap in to the market. Being the most recent and dramatic change in the way we perceive sound since the invention of coil loud speaker, audio spot light technology can do many miracles in various fields like Private messaging system, Home theatre audio system, Navy and military applications, museum displays, ventriloquist systems etc. Thus audio spotlighting helps us to control where sound comes from and where it goes.
Advantages
• Attract and excite shoppers with sound, without adding noise.
• Maintain peace and quiet, while still providing sound.
• "Illuminate" products with sound.
• Allow multimedia in difficult or sensitive areas.
Western Union at Times Square
Western Union's landmark location in Times Square is not a typical money transfer center. While all of the regular services offered by Western Union are available, the location also serves as a promotional and informational center for the company. This ability to provide two completely different experiences in one large open space is enabled by the use of Audio Spotlight technology.
A large video wall, controlled by an interactive touch screen kiosk, displays information about the company's various philanthropic activities. Sound is provided by an Audio Spotlight speaker, delivering the content only to the intended listeners, while enabling the customers and staff to do business in a quiet, professional atmosphere just a few feet away.
In Store Advertising
A major convenience store chain contacted us because they were having several issues with adding sound to their in-store advertisements. They had tried traditional speakers, and other so-called "directional" sound systems, but were unable to provide sound without bothering their customers while frustrating and distracting employees. Store management was concerned about poor employee morale and attention, and sought a better solution. Holosonics resolved all of these issues by providing the chain with Audio Spotlight systems, which were able to deliver concise, targeted advertising messages while maintaining a peaceful, pleasant environment for the shoppers. The results have been nothing short of perfection, and the systems are now featured in numerous store locations across the USA.
Digitas
Digitas, a major advertising firm, decided to utilize their corporate lobby to showcase various examples of their work. They needed to provide a complete multimedia experience with sound and video, but only to a specific audience, and without disturbing nearby visitors or employees. Rather than using traditional loudspeakers, they employed Audio Spotlight systems, and are now able to provide an engaging multimedia experience to those who are interested, while preserving a professional atmosphere.
Cisco Systems Cisco Systems called us with an urgent problem. Noise in their visitors' center was disturbing their guests, and the complaint came straight from top management. Four plasma screens had been installed in one small room, each with custom-designed, interactive multimedia content. With only traditional loudspeakers, every guest was bombarded with sound from all four stations, creating a distressing environment for their clients and Cisco's management. The executive originally demanded that these displays be removed entirely, but instead Cisco called us, and we offered a better solution. We installed a single Audio Spotlight disc over each display, and used a standard ball-socket mount to aim each disc directly at the listening position in front of each screen. With sound created by Audio Spotlight systems, only those interested in interacting with the display hear the sound, and the rest of the room remains peaceful, quiet, and professional for everyone.
Incredible Connection
Located in the massive Gateway Shopping Center in Durban, South Africa, Incredible Connection is a computer and electronics mega store that has all the latest technology. For their gaming section, Incredible Connection wanted to offer their customers a truly unique experience. They contacted local reseller Silent Sound and soon had an Audio Spotlight system installed above each gaming kiosk. The systems, installed above each gaming kiosk, allow customers to play the latest games with their own sound while leaving the other areas of the store unaffected.
Best Buy
Best Buy is putting Audio Spotlight systems to use in a variety of applications in their retail stores, including DVD sales and promotion, kiosks, and product "beacons". The retail chain installed several Audio Spotlight systems in the "Family Fun Zone" section of one of their retail stores. Each system corresponds to a television that can be seen and heard in one discrete location. Shoppers outside of the zone remain completely unaffected by the sound. The system allows retailers to create a unique and isolated atmosphere within a large noisy environment.
