Proposing Solutions that Utilize Sound Technologies

  Yamaha Corporation has continued to create richly realized independent sound fields through the manufacture of its products while also engaging in sound research and the development of control systems that help establish sound listening environments.

  Yamaha's endeavors to create new businesses in the sound domain focusing largely on acoustic spaces have extended to efforts to better protect personal information. In this context, the Company developed the Yamaha Speech Privacy System™ VSP-1 to help provide an environment under which private conservations can be protected in public places.

  The VSP-1 is equipped with Yamaha's proprietary informational masking technology. This technology uses a newly developed original disruptive masker synthesized from human speech, which is combined with a camouflage technology that encapsulates conversations for private consumption using environmental sound. This system can mask the information in people's conversations much more effectively than conventional energy masking.

  In addition, Yamaha has developed a sound system that incorporates elements from nature including the babbling of a brook or birds singing together with the sounds produced by musical instruments to create an optimal sound environment that helps protect private conversations.

  In recent years, digital signage or electronic billboards that deliver images and information using flat-panel displays and projectors have attracted considerable attention for their ability to provide timely information in the advertising and promotional media fields. It has long been acknowledged that the addition of sound significantly increases the appeal and effect of these displays. To date, however, the market has lacked easily accessible and effective sound solutions. Against this backdrop, Yamaha Corporation has put forward the Sound Signage System solution, a new and novel advertising medium that combines the Company's Thin Light Flexible Speaker (TLF-SP) technology with INFOSOUND, Yamaha's proprietary acoustic data communication technology. Demonstration trials were launched in autumn 2010. At the same time, the Company showcased demonstrations of its Sound Signage System and technologies at its corporate booth during the CEATEC JAPAN 2010 Exhibition in October.

  In fiscal 2011, Yamaha plans to establish a Sound Signage business model drawing on the fruits of demonstration trials. Moving forward, the Company will continue to promote commercial application of its various technologies including TLF-SP.