Patent Review: Parametric System for Generating a Sound Halo and Methods of Use Thereof

This review looks at a patent of parametric loudspeaker awarded in November 2016 to Luke Batchelder (Somers, NY), and J. Samuel Batchelder (Somers, NY) on behalf of Convey Technology, Inc. (Somers, NY). As James Croft (Croft Acoustical) comments in this patent review: "The parametric loudspeaker is one of those technologies that get rediscovered and “invented” about every 10 years." This article was originally published in Voice Coil, February 2017.

Japanese company AFUR has announced the launch of Parso, a wireless, wearable, unidirectional speaker design that "only you can hear." The highly directional speaker uses ultrasonic elements to achieve its narrow directivity for personal listening. The new Wearable Parametric Speaker (Patent Pending) design is scheduled to enter production in mid 2022, but the company is promoting the concept to evaluate market interest in new application areas.

Another monthly edition of Voice Coil is now available featuring the traditional directory of Loudspeaker Cone Industry Suppliers 2017. In this issue, Vance Dickason tests two drivers from SB Acoustics’ Satori Line, including the much anticipated TW29BN beryllium dome tweeter. Charlie Hughes writes about his independent measurement lab, Excelsior Audio. On Acoustic Patents, James Croft reviews a familiar parametric loudspeaker patent. Voice Coil pays tribute to Chris N. Strahm (1956-2016), founder and president of LinearX.