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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The Company has a currently inactive wholly owned subsidiary, American Technology Holdings, Inc., which the Company formed to conduct international marketing, sales and distribution activities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of this subsidiary after elimination of intercompany transactions and accounts.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the spin-off of the Company’s Hypersonic Sound (“HSS”) business as a stand-alone company on September 27, 2010. The results of operations for the HSS business conducted prior to the spin-off, as well as some continued activity by the Company to fulfill remaining sales and warranty obligations following the spin-off per the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, are designated as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Amounts reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations include direct and allocated costs attributable to the former HSS business, but do not include allocations of general corporate overhead costs.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions (e.g., share-based compensation valuation, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventory and intangible assets, warranty reserve, accrued bonus and valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets) that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent accounts with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured financial institutions. Under provisions of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd Frank Act”), unlimited FDIC insurance is provided for all funds in non-interest bearing transaction accounts through December 31, 2012. In addition, certain of the Company’s interest bearing collateral money market and savings accounts are each insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC. The Company’s exposure for amounts in excess of FDIC insured limits at September 30, 2012 was approximately $10,438,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

The Company sells its products to a large number of geographically diverse customers. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and generally does not require collateral or other security to support customer receivables. At September 30, 2012, accounts receivable from one customer accounted for 65% of total accounts receivable with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance. At September 30, 2011, accounts receivable from three customers accounted for 38%, 16% and 11% of total accounts receivable with no other single customer accounting for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance.

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

The Company considers any amounts pledged as collateral or otherwise restricted for use in current operations to be restricted cash. Restricted cash is classified as a current asset unless amounts are not expected to be released and available for use in operations within one year.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

The Company carries its accounts receivable at their historical cost, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses considering the following factors when determining if collection of a receivable is reasonably assured: customer credit-worthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends and changes in customer payment terms. If the Company has no previous experience with the customer, the Company may obtain reports from various credit organizations to ensure that the customer has a history of paying its creditors. The Company may also request financial information to ensure that the customer has the means of making payment. If these factors do not indicate collection is reasonably assured, revenue is deferred until collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of cash. There was no deferred revenue at September 30, 2012 or 2011 as a result of collection issues. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, additional allowances would be required. The Company determines allowances on a customer specific. The Company had allowances for doubtful accounts of $4,372 and $0 for the years ended September 30, 2012 or 2011.

CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS

The Company employs contract manufacturers for production of certain components and sub-assemblies. The Company may provide parts and components to such parties from time to time, but recognizes no revenue or markup on such transactions. During fiscal 2012, the Company performed assembly of products in-house using components and sub-assemblies from a variety of contract manufacturers and suppliers.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using a standard cost system whereby differences between the standard cost and purchase price are recorded as a purchase price variance in cost of revenues. Inventory is comprised of raw materials, assemblies and finished products intended for sale. The Company periodically makes judgments and estimates regarding the future utility and carrying value of inventory. The carrying value of inventory is periodically reviewed and impairments, if any, are recognized when the expected net realizable value is less than carrying value. The Company has inventory reserves for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory, which is equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. The Company increased its inventory reserve by $154,109 and $16,252 during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, based on expected usage of components resulting from changes in product lines and customer demand.

 

EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION

Equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation on machinery and equipment and office furniture and equipment is computed over the estimated useful lives of three to five years using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease. Upon retirement or disposition of equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed, and a gain or loss is recorded.

INTANGIBLES

Intangible assets, which consist of patents and trademarks, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which have been estimated to be 15 years. The carrying value of intangibles is periodically reviewed and impairments, if any, are recognized when the future undiscounted cash flows realized from the assets is less than its carrying value.

LEASES

Leases entered into are classified as either capital or operating leases. At the time a capital lease is entered into, an asset is recorded, together with its related long-term obligation to reflect the purchase and financing. At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no capital lease obligations.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company derives its revenue primarily from two sources: (i) product revenues, and (ii) contracts, license fees, other services, and freight.

Product revenues from customers, including resellers and system integrators, are recognized in the periods that products are shipped (FOB shipping point) or received by customers (FOB destination), when the fee is fixed or determinable, when collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, and there are no remaining obligations for the Company. Most revenues to resellers and system integrators are based on firm commitments from the end user; as a result, resellers and system integrators carry little or no inventory. Revenues from associated engineering and installation contracts are recognized based on milestones or completion of the contracted services. The Company’s customers do not have the right to return product unless the product is found to be defective.

In limited circumstances, product revenues may be recognized prior to shipment when, based on the Company’s evaluation, criteria for recognizing revenue under bill and hold arrangements have been met. During the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not recognize any bill and hold revenue.

The Company licenses its technology to third parties. Revenues from up-front license fees are evaluated for multiple elements, but are generally recognized ratably over the specified term of the particular license or agreement. Revenues from ongoing per unit license fees are earned based on units shipped and are recognized in the period when the ultimate customer accepts the product, and collection is reasonably assured.

The Company also sells extended repair and maintenance contracts with terms ranging from one to several years which provide repair and maintenance services after expiration of the original one year warranty term. Revenues from separately priced extended repair and maintenance contracts are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period and classified as contract and other revenues. Contracts paid for in advance by customers are recorded in other liabilities—noncurrent.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS

Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of revenues. The amount of shipping and handling costs invoiced to customers is included in revenue. Actual shipping and handling costs were $127,392 and $366,851 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

ADVERTISING

Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company expensed $62,663 and $73,812 for the years ended September 2012 and 2011, respectively, for advertising costs.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

WARRANTY RESERVES

The Company warrants its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. The warranty is generally limited. The Company currently provides direct warranty service. Some agreements with OEM customers, from time to time, may require that certain quantities of product be made available for use as warranty replacements. International market warranties are generally similar to the U.S. market. The Company also sells extended warranty contracts and maintenance agreements.

The Company establishes a warranty reserve based on anticipated warranty claims at the time product revenues are recognized. Factors affecting warranty reserve levels include the number of units sold, anticipated cost of warranty repairs and anticipated rates of warranty claims. The Company evaluates the adequacy of the provision for warranty costs each reporting period. In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the Company decreased its reserve by $67,948. The warranty reserve was $204,313 and $272,261 at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Note 10 for additional information regarding warranties.

INCOME TAXES

The Company determines its income tax provision using the asset and liability method. Temporary differences are differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. A valuation allowance is recorded by the Company to the extent it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Additional information regarding income taxes appears in Note 11.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, are excluded from reported net income. There were no differences between net income and comprehensive income for any of the periods presented.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

Long-lived assets and identifiable intangibles held for use are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of undiscounted expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, or if changes in facts and circumstances indicate this, an impairment loss is measured and recognized using the asset’s fair value.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company presents its business as one reportable segment due to the similarity in nature of products provided, financial performance measures (revenue growth and gross margin), methods of distribution (direct and indirect) and customer markets (each product is sold by the same personnel to government and commercial customers, domestically and internationally). The Company’s chief operating decision making officer reviews financial information on sound products on a consolidated basis. See Note 16 for additional information regarding segments.

 

NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could occur if outstanding securities convertible into common stock were exercised or converted. See Note 15 for additional information regarding net income per share.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

The Company’s functional currency is U.S. dollars as substantially all of the Company’s operations use this denomination. Foreign sales to date have been denominated in U.S. dollars. Transactions undertaken in other currencies, which have not been material, are translated using the exchange rate in effect as of the transaction date. Any exchange gains and losses are included in the statements of operations.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense related to non-qualified stock options issued to employees and directors over the expected vesting term of the stock-based instrument based on the grant date fair value. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of the grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates or if the Company updates its estimated forfeiture rate. From time to time, the Company grants stock options to directors and non-employee service providers.

REGISTRATION PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

In connection with the issuance of warrants on February 4, 2011 (“2011 Warrants”), the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the warrant holders (“Warrant Holders”), whereby the Company agreed to prepare and file, within 30 days following the issuance of the 2011 Warrants, a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the 2011 Warrants. If the registration statement was not declared effective within 90 days following the date of issuance of the securities, or the Warrant Holders are otherwise unable to re-sell the shares purchased upon exercise of the 2011 Warrants, the Company will be obligated to pay liquidated damages to the purchasers in the amount of $0.01335 per day per applicable share until 180 days after the date the registration statement is required to be filed, and $0.0267 per day per applicable share thereafter, but not to exceed a total of $0.534 per applicable share or a maximum of $869,323. This obligation will be effective for the five year term of the Warrants, or until all 2011 Warrants have been exercised. The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 within 30 days of issuance, which became effective on April 7, 2011 in satisfaction of the initial 90 day effectiveness obligation. No liquidated damages have been accrued as of September 30, 2012 as it was not deemed to be probable that any such damages will be incurred. See Note 14 for additional information regarding the 2011 Warrants.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

Where necessary, the prior year’s information has been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2012 statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or accumulated deficit.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated events subsequent to September 30, 2012 through the date the accompanying consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and noted that there have been no events or transactions which would affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2012.