INFOCOMM BOARD APPROVES RELEASE OF FIRST PERFORMANCE STANDARD
The InfoComm International Board of Directors has approved release of the association’s first performance standard, The Audio Coverage Uniformity Performance Standard (ACU). One of the principal goals of sound system performance for both speech reinforcement and program audio is the delivery of consistent coverage in the listening area. A well-executed audio system design is one that permits all listeners to hear the system at about the same sound pressure level throughout the desired frequency spectrum range, no matter where positioned in the designated listening area. This standard provides a procedure to measure this spatial coverage, and criteria for use in the design and commissioning of audio systems.
The outlined procedures are intended to be used primarily for AV presentation systems in which audio is provided as a part of the system within an enclosed environment. These systems might be installed within a multitude of AV applications, including conference rooms, training rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, theaters and museum exhibits, and this standard can also be applied to large-venue audio systems.
The Audio Coverage Uniformity Standard is limited to uniformity measurements and specifically does not include testing or measurements for spectral response, time domain issues or other parameters that might be required to assess the total performance of an audio system. Future standards might address other audio concerns.
The ACU Standard was developed in an open process with consensus and transparency. InfoComm intends to submit the standard to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for adoption consideration in the next few weeks.

SAMSUNG/SHARP PATENT INFRINGEMENT DECISION
Following months of back and forth wrangling, a decision has been reached in the patent infringement dispute between Samsung Electronics Co. (Seoul, South Korea) and Sharp Corp. (Osaka, Japan). Samsung has won a US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling that some Sharp LCD televisions and computer monitors infringe one of its patents. As a result, the trade agency said the offending products should be banned from the US. The Washington agency further declared a second patent was not infringed, nullifying a judge's ruling on that issue. Last month, a trade judge declared that Samsung TVs, monitors and professional displays infringe four Sharp patents and recommended Samsung TVs be banned from the US, as well.
In a notice published on its website, the ITC stated unlicensed Sharp LCD products, including display panels and modules, and LCD televisions made overseas that use Samsung's patented technology should be banned from the US. The ban is subject to President Obama’s review, and the underlying patent case can be appealed to a US court specializing in patent law.
A Sharp representative exclusively spoke to Sound & Communications, saying, “While Sharp disagrees with the ITC’s ruling…and is considering an appeal, Sharp has prepared for this outcome. Sharp has already launched new AQUOS, Sharp-branded LCD TV models with technology that is not affected by this ruling. And, thus, there will be no impact to our retail business partners and consumers as a result of this decision. Sharp AQUOS televisions will continue to be available in the United States.”
The representative continued, “There will be a lack of availability of some of Sharp’s PN Series professional monitors, and we have begun to take the necessary steps to limit disruption to our customers. We have moved up production schedules for a new product line, which will be available later this year. In the meantime, we will provide business partners access to our AQUOS line to fulfil any deals in which the product fits their needs. In cases where the AQUOS product does not meet the requirements, we will work with the dealer to find alternative suppliers.”
Samsung did not respond to requests for comment.

AVAD EXPANDS INTO COMMERCIAL AV
AVAD LLC, a North American distributor of custom electronics, is expanding its product offering to include commercial AV solutions. AVAD’s lineup of commercial AV products includes offerings from Bogen, Crown International, Denon Professional, JBL Pro and Speco Technologies, along with products from several of its existing partners. In addition to the new vendors, AVAD’s commercial AV product offering will include products from brands such as Aprilaire, Chief, Draper, Gefen, JVC Pro, Key Digital, Lutron, Middle Atlantic, Netstreams, OmniMount, Panasonic Pro, Panasonic Phones, Peerless, Remote Technologies Inc., Sirius and Sivoia.
“With many dealers looking beyond the residential markets, we feel that this is the perfect opportunity to help our dealers expand their sales channels throughout the commercial AV industry,” explained Jim Annes, Vice President/General Manager. “AVAD [helps] our dealers manage and grow their businesses. As part of this launch, we will help guide those looking to expand into new markets, as well as augment the capabilities of dealers already working within the commercial AV industry, through in-depth sales and product training, technical support and system design assistance.”

OUTLINE COMES TO NORTH AMERICA
Brescia, Italy-based pro audio manufacturer Outline has inaugurated its American branch, Outline North America LLC, headquartered in Farmingdale NY. It is led by Thomas Bensen, who has 30 years’ experience in the industry and who, for several years, has also helmed the US branch of another Italian company, amplifier manufacturer Powersoft.
In the short period since it opened, in addition to being able to boast high-profile installations and live events (Clear Channel Theater in New York; the Healing Place Church cathedral in Louisiana; Imperial Palace Casino in Biloxi MS; and the New Orleans Jazz Festival), Outline N.A. can organize professional demos of its loudspeaker systems, in particular the MANTAS, Butterfly and mini-COM.P.A.S.S. vertical line arrays. Outline’s product range also includes wedge monitors, “point source” systems and infra-sub units.
Bensen remarked, “I’m proud to be part of the Outline family. This is a company that has vision...[It has] a tremendous resource in its R&D and I see nothing but [good] things happening for Outline. The future of pro audio belongs to the companies that have really learned to embrace volumetric efficiency and low impact. I think that Outline is to loudspeakers what Powersoft is to amplifiers.”

SENTENCING IN CORPORATE ESPIONAGE CASE
On June 26, David A. Goldenberg was sentenced following his guilty plea on charges of corporate espionage. Judge Harry G. Carroll, at the Bergen County Courthouse, sentenced Goldenberg to three years' probation. He also must pay a $1000 fine and $155 for court costs, in addition to undergoing a psychological evaluation and counseling. Goldenberg admitted to intercepting proprietary e-mails from his company’s chief competitor while working as a Vice President for AMX Corporation (Richardson TX), a subsidiary of Duchossis Industries. Additional details can be found in Sound & Communications’ earlier coverage in NEWSLETTER, June 2009.

MILESTONE AV TECHNOLOGIES ACQUIRES RAXXESS METALSMITHS
Milestone AV Technologies (Savage MN), designer and manufacturer of Chief and Sanus Systems audiovisual mounting equipment, has acquired the assets of Raxxess Metalsmiths, Inc. (Paterson NJ). Raxxess is a supplier of rackmount solutions, furniture and related accessories for commercial and residential applications, sold primarily to system integrators, pro audio dealers and music retailers. Hyman Peller, Raxxess President/Founder, has joined the Milestone team as part of the acquisition.
Scott Gill, Milestone President and CEO, said, “The acquisition of Raxxess expands our customer base, broadens our product line and is a natural fit for our existing Sanus Systems and Chief brand business. I’m excited to add the…Raxxess product line to our existing offerings, and would also like to welcome Hyman Peller to the Milestone team.”
All Raxxess operations have been moved from the former headquarters in New Jersey to Milestone’s facility in Savage MN. Shipping from Minnesota began June 8 to existing customers.

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