Yamaha 2011 Annual Report Download - page 38

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36 Yamaha Corporation
R&D and Intellectual Property
INFOSOUND is Yamaha’s proprietary acoustic data communication
technology that converts digital information into acoustic signals
and then transmits them over sound waves. Short strings of encoded
data (acoustic IDs) are embedded in the sound frequencies that are
transmitted from audio speakers. A smartphone’s microphone picks
up these signals along with the digital information, URLs and other
data embedded within them. With this technology, users can access
e-coupons and shop online when in close range of speakers that
broadcast the acoustic IDs.
With a maximum data transfer rate of around 80 bits per second,
the INFOSOUND technology is highly immune to noise interference
and can transmit data more than 10 meters away from the speaker.
As sound waves are used for transmission, data can be distributed to
multiple receivers (smartphones and other devices) simultaneously.
Further, the range of access (data reception within an audible range)
can be controlled by adjusting speaker volume.
When the smartphone’s microphone picks up the INFOSOUND
signal, the INFOSOUND browser displays location- and time-based
information, such as time-sensitive ads of shops that are in close
proximity to the user. For this reason, a wide range of applications
are possible. As just one example, when the microphone picks up the
background music played in stores, the browser can access e-coupons
and display product information.
INFOSOUNDTM Acoustic Data Communication Technology
Research and Development
Core Technologies and Business Direction
Yamaha leverages the technologies that it has acquired over many
years in the fields of sound and music to increase the value of the
Yamaha brand and to stimulate new demand by developing and offer-
ing innovative, high-quality products and services.
At the same time, the Company has earned an excellent global
reputation for original design, which plays an important part in the
creation of distinctive customer appeal and product competitiveness
while raising the Yamaha brand image.
Yamaha has identified the world-class technologies it has
researched and developed in the fields of sound and music as core
technologies, which it will further develop and advance in the years
ahead. Some of the technologies we plan to focus on more strongly
include acoustic sensing, spatial audio technology, acoustic analysis,
simulation and modeling technology, speech synthesis, wood reform-
ing and new materials technologies, and psychoacoustics. These
advanced, specialized technologies cover the entire lifecycle of sound,
from the time it is produced to the time it is processed, and even
extend into the field of human perception.
Not only do we utilize these technologies in the musical instru-
ments and professional audio equipment businesses, but also to
actively provide unique Yamaha value in new business areas. Examples
of such applications include speech privacy in the environmental
acoustic business and the transmission of information through sound
in the applied acoustic business.
Yamaha trains the human resources it needs to support and
develop these new businesses. It also acquires advanced technologies,
collaborates with universities and research institutions, and then passes
on the high-level knowledge and technology it has accumulated to its
workforce. We will continue to make effective use of our brand, intel-
lectual property and other assets, and to create and increase the value
of intellectual property assets.
Technological expertise built up over years of research and development underpins the Yamaha Group’s broad base of
operations. In order to accelerate the accumulation of these technologies — in other words, intellectual property rights —
Yamaha invests substantially in research and development activities. Another primary goal of the Group is securing, protect-
ing and utilizing related intellectual property to ensure that Yamaha retains and enhances its competitive technical edge.
10
% OFF
Discount
coupon
10
%
OFF
Speaker
Network Content accessed
online
Acoustic ID
Sound wave
How INFOSOUND works
R&D Achievement