Soundless sound system

[Esau]

PORTLAND, Ore. - Elwood "Woody" Norris pointed a metal frequency emitter at one of perhaps 30 people who had come to see his invention. The emitter — an aluminum square — was hooked up by a wire to a CD player. Norris switched on the CD player.

"There's no speaker, but when I point this pad at you, you will hear the waterfall," said the 63-year-old Californian.

And one by one, each person in the audience did, and smiled widely.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/tech/D89K5FU00.htm?campaign_id=apn_tech_down

[timouse]

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown/article/0,16106,388134,00.html

how does it sound compared to conventional speakers, i wonder? is it true that vin diesel invented it?

from the article ..."The piezoelectric transducer emits sound at frequencies above the human ear's 20,000-cycle threshold. Unlike low-frequency waves, the high-frequency signals don't spread out as they travel through air. Yet they do interact with the air to induce a related set of ultrasonic waves. These waves combine with the original waves, interfering to create an audible signal, focused into a beam.

The applications are numerous, if not apparent: Thousands of soda machines in Tokyo will soon bombard passersby with the enticing sound of a Coke being poured, and several U.S. supermarkets will promote products to shoppers as they walk down corresponding aisles. Eventually HyperSonic Sound might enable a nightclub to play disco on one side of the dance floor and salsa on the other. Ambulances equipped with hypersonic sirens could clear the streets without waking the neighbors. Norris' company, American Technology, sells the devices for $600."

great.

the best thing they could think of to do with this is to sell more Coke. *sigh* even better, this one..."Using Sound as a Weapon."

http://www.raven1.net/hssweapon.htm

[SaggyBalls]

that's the worst invention i've ever read about.

now i'm going to be hopelessly annoyed every time i walk in front of advertising.

shit.