IRVINE, Calif., March 17, 2005 – Westec InterActive, the leader in interactive remote security monitoring for convenience store, retail, restaurant and other business applications, today announced that it has selected Acoustic Magic’s Voice Tracker™ array microphone to be used for enhanced audio in retail and restaurant audio/video surveillance applications. The decision was made after it was tested in several Circle K, 7-Eleven and McDonalds sites that have Westec interactive security systems.
“Acoustic Magic’s Voice Tracker™ array microphones proved to be very effective in recording conversations in settings where there is a lot of background noise, such as convenience stores,” said Michael J. Upp, Vice President, Business Development for Westec InterActive. “The Voice Tracker™ reduced the background noise from air conditioners, fans, and other equipment, improving the sound quality of recordings at the stores.”
The Voice Tracker’s unique technology locates the region where the conversation is coming from and electronically steers a “listening beam”, like an acoustic searchlight, in that direction. This creates spatial filtering, and “noise” from other parts of the room is not picked up.
“The ‘listening beam’ allows our Operational Audit Specialists to clearly hear conversations between employees and customers. This helps monitor customer service levels and accurately report findings back to our customers,” says Upp.
According to Acoustic Magic, its Voice Tracker™ microphones are effective in reducing background noise by utilizing both spatial filtering and digital noise reduction. They also have improved sensitivity by constructively adding the outputs of the 8 individual microphone elements in the array.
“Westec InterActive was the first company to recognize the potential of the Voice Tracker™ as a surveillance microphone in convenience stores,” said Bob Feingold, CEO of Acoustic Magic. “We’re pleased to have our technology used by Westec, the leader in remote access security.”
About Westec InterActive. Westec InterActive, the pioneer of interactive security and remote monitoring, delivers an integrated solution that answers the concern of employee safety, as well as key business operational issues such as shrink, employee turnover and inventory control. Our innovative nature allows us to take a comprehensive approach to security and remote site management. We provide our customers with a full range of business improvement solutions, from basic burglar alarms and quality security equipment to fully integrated interactive remote monitoring systems. For additional information see www.Westecnow.com or contact Teri Bruno (teribruno@aol.com or 714 536 8407 or Andrea Herbert (aherbert@westecnow.com or 949 797 4723)
About Acoustic Magic, Inc. Acoustic Magic, Inc., located near Boston, manufactures the Voice Tracker™ desktop microphone that has found application in speech recognition, meeting and transcription recording, VoIP and conventional teleconferencing, voice control for home automation, and security surveillance. The Voice Tracker™ Array microphone has been Certified by Dragon and ViaVoice speech recognition software, HomeSeer and HAL Home Automation software, as well as WinScribe and SoniClear recording software. For additional information, visit www.Acoustic Magic.com or Contact Us Here.
