USPTO Grants Patent Protection to Sensaphonics 3D Active Ambient IEM System

	Sensaphonics has gained formal patent protection for its innovative 3D Active Ambient IEM System.

Sensaphonics, the maker of personal monitoring products, announces that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent for the company's 3D Active Ambient IEM system. The patent application was originally filed over five years ago and includes a total of 50 specific claims for the 3D system.

"It took a long time, but we are thrilled to finally have formal notification of patent protection for the 3D Active Ambient," says Michael Santucci, founder and president of Sensaphonics. "The mere fact that no one else has released a competitive product since its introduction in 2005 shows just how much of a challenge it was to design."

The 3D Active Ambient incorporates a suite of technologies to achieve its goal of safely providing natural ambient sound in a sealed in-ear system. The system starts with a pair of custom IEMs, then adds embedded miniature microphones in the earpieces to pick up ambient sound, routing that binaural signal to a body pack, where it is combined with the monitor mix at the wearer's desired level. This allows the musician to hear full-range ambient sound with accurate tone and directionality, with both earphones inserted.

Like most new technologies in pro audio, the 3D Active Ambient was quickly embraced by early adopters, then began a steady rise to greater popularity as the word spread in the touring sound community. Despite a balky economy, annual sales of the Sensaphonics 3D system nearly doubled in 2011.

"Obviously, it's very gratifying to see this kind of growth," notes Santucci. "Developing the 3D was a huge commitment for us, and you never know if the market will accept your vision. But when you can make artists like Steven Tyler, Dave Matthews, and Stevie Wonder happy, you know you're doing something right."

The patent for the 3D Active Ambient covers all three primary challenges addressed in the development of the product. First, the ambient microphones need to handle sustained levels of 140dB SPL without overload or distortion. The second critical aspect was that the ambience sound real and natural, which required both full audio bandwidth and proper placement of the embedded microphones. Finally, the system had to offer user-friendly control of the mix of ambience and monitor signals.

With formal patent protection in place, Sensaphonics is open to licensing its 3D Active Ambient technology to appropriate partners. Interested parties are invited to demo the 3D system and meet with two of the inventors at the upcoming NAMM Show in Anaheim, January 19-22, 2012. Sensaphonics will be located in Hall A, Booth 6950.