In embodiments of the present invention, an Alert Controller coupled to an Internal Digital Communication System (IDCS) of a vehicle monitors vehicle states based on messages received over the IDCS and generates audio alerts projected external to the vehicle based on the vehicle states. Multiple vehicle states may be defined, with each vehicle state associated with receipt of one or more types of messages in a particular sequence and/or within a particular timeframe. Different audio alerts may be assigned to different vehicle states. The audio alerts may be customizable such as by the vehicle manufacturer and/or vehicle owner/operator. An alert selection interface may be provided in the vehicle for user-selection of audio alerts.

A device mounts to a water bottle and produces sounds when the bottle is chewed by a dog, and includes a cap and squeaker. The cap includes: a body with a first opening on a first side defining an interior surface of a cavity, with a plurality of internal threads; and a second opening on a second side being in fluid communication with the cavity. A plurality of fingers are spaced about the second opening, and extend toward the first side, being at a first angle with respect to an axis of the interior surface. The squeaker is inserted into the second opening, and a protruding region of its housing causes the fingers to deform to a second angle with respect to the axis, after which the plurality of fingers nest between an end flange and the protruding region. Internal threads mount the device to threading of the water bottle.

A processing device according to an embodiment includes a sound pickup signal acquisition unit that acquires sound pickup signals picked up by left and right microphones through a monophonic input terminal, a switch unit that switches a connection state so that a first sound pickup signal picked up only by the left microphone and a second sound pickup signal picked up only by the right microphone are input, an interaural distance acquisition unit that acquires an interaural distance of the listener, a front time difference acquisition unit that acquires a front time difference, an incident time difference calculation unit that calculates an incident time difference based on an angle , the front time difference, and the interaural distance, and a transfer characteristics generation unit that calculates transfer characteristics by applying a delay corresponding to the incident time difference to the first and second sound pickup signals.

Methods are disclosed for separating beads and cells from a host fluid. The method includes flowing a mixture containing the host fluid, the beads, and the cells through an acoustophoretic device having an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric material driven by a drive signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A drive signal is sent to drive the at least one ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A recirculating fluid stream having a tangential flow path is located substantially tangential to the standing wave and separated therefrom by an interface region. A portion of the cells pass through the standing wave, and the beads are held back from the standing wave in the recirculating fluid stream at the interface region. Also disclosed is an acoustophoretic device having a coolant inlet adapted to permit the ingress of a cooling fluid into the device for cooling the transducer.

Methods are disclosed for separating beads and cells from a host fluid. The method includes flowing a mixture containing the host fluid, the beads, and the cells through an acoustophoretic device having an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric material driven by a drive signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A drive signal is sent to drive the at least one ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A recirculating fluid stream having a tangential flow path is located substantially tangential to the standing wave and separated therefrom by an interface region. A portion of the cells pass through the standing wave, and the beads are held back from the standing wave in the recirculating fluid stream at the interface region. Also disclosed is an acoustophoretic device having a coolant inlet adapted to permit the ingress of a cooling fluid into the device for cooling the transducer.

Combustion gas of an internal combustion engine passes through an exhaust system to an outlet opening. A detection device generates a state signal that describes an engine noise of the internal combustion engine. A control apparatus actuates at least one loudspeaker to produce a sound at the outlet opening based on the state signal to compensate for the engine noise or produce another engine noise, independently of the state signal based on predetermined audio data and thereby to use the at least one loudspeaker to audibly output an advisory signal described by the audio data.

The properties of metamaterials are derived both from the inherent properties of their constituent materials and from the geometrical arrangement of those materials. Metamaterials may be stacked or otherwise manipulated to transform substantially monochromatic signal into a second signal having a desired amplitude and phase. Metamaterials may be used with acoustic devices to create haptic feedback with desired properties or to transform the shape of certain devices. Metamaterials may be used in rotating devices with openings that transform a monochromatic signal into a non-monochromatic signal.

The properties of metamaterials are derived both from the inherent properties of their constituent materials and from the geometrical arrangement of those materials. Metamaterials may be stacked or otherwise manipulated to transform substantially monochromatic signal into a second signal having a desired amplitude and phase. Metamaterials may be used with acoustic devices to create haptic feedback with desired properties or to transform the shape of certain devices. Metamaterials may be used in rotating devices with openings that transform a monochromatic signal into a non-monochromatic signal.

Sonotrodes are used when examining substances on the basis of acoustic levitation. In order to obtain a reproducible measurement result or to extend the possible uses of devices of this kind, the respective sonotrode has to meet a whole range of requirements. Exact tuning of the frequency and clean interaction between the sonotrode and a frequency generator are particularly important. The present invention proposes that a sonic horn and a main body of the sonotrode are provided as different parts and, in this case, the sonic horn can be mounted on or in the main body in a specific manner, in particular for operation at low voltage in such a way that the amplitude or operating voltage remains below a comparatively low maximum low-voltage value, in particular 50 Vpp. The formation of heat can be prevented in this way. The present invention further relates to a control or production method for a sonotrode apparatus of this kind. In this case, it is respectively possible to extend the range of use and to improve the reproducibility or quality of the measurement results.

Sonotrodes are used when examining substances on the basis of acoustic levitation. In order to obtain a reproducible measurement result or to extend the possible uses of devices of this kind, the respective sonotrode has to meet a whole range of requirements. Exact tuning of the frequency and clean interaction between the sonotrode and a frequency generator are particularly important. The present invention proposes that a sonic horn and a main body of the sonotrode are provided as different parts and, in this case, the sonic horn can be mounted on or in the main body in a specific manner, in particular for operation at low voltage in such a way that the amplitude or operating voltage remains below a comparatively low maximum low-voltage value, in particular 50 Vpp. The formation of heat can be prevented in this way. The present invention further relates to a control or production method for a sonotrode apparatus of this kind. In this case, it is respectively possible to extend the range of use and to improve the reproducibility or quality of the measurement results.