Process and apparatus for speech privacy improvement through incoherent masking noise sound generation in open-plan office spaces and the like
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process of distributing masking sound in an open-plan space and the like, that comprises, independently and incoherently generating and radiating noise at a plurality of positions laterally separated from one another above a sound-transmitting surface covering such an open space;
- shaping the frequency spectrum of the noise to correspond substantially to that desired for speech privacy masking; and
adjusting the lateral separation of noise radiation positions from one another to control the diffusion and distribution of the masking noise sound cumulatively transmitted through and below said surface into the open space, in order to provide a uniform, de-localized incoherent masking radiation within said open space.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention involves the use of a plurality of incoherent noise generators distributed, in one embodiment, along ceilings in open-plan and partitioned office spaces and the like, to diffuse masking sound energy through acoustical tile and other false ceiling structures while tailoring the same for speech privacy results, by providing a uniform, delocalized and incoherent masking sound space.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A process of distributing masking sound in an open-plan space and the like, that comprises, independently and incoherently generating and radiating noise at a plurality of positions laterally separated from one another above a sound-transmitting surface covering such an open space;
- shaping the frequency spectrum of the noise to correspond substantially to that desired for speech privacy masking; and
adjusting the lateral separation of noise radiation positions from one another to control the diffusion and distribution of the masking noise sound cumulatively transmitted through and below said surface into the open space, in order to provide a uniform, de-localized incoherent masking radiation within said open space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 12)
- shaping the frequency spectrum of the noise to correspond substantially to that desired for speech privacy masking; and
-
3. Apparatus for distributing masking noise through a false ceiling surface and the like into an open space therebelow, having, in combination, a plurality of independent incoherent noise-generating units, each provided with a separate electronic noise source, frequencing shaping filter, amplifying and sound radiating means;
- means for mounting said units at a plurality of positions laterally spaced over the ceiling surface;
means for powering said units from ceiling power conduit means; and
means for tuning the shaping filter and for adjusting the height of said units above said ceiling surface and adjusting the lateral separation of said units to provide a predetermined speech privacy noise attenuation spectrum below said ceiling surface, said surface being selected to diffuse the noise radiated from the plurality of units to provide cumulative de-localized incoherent masking radiation within said open space. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 11, 13)
- means for mounting said units at a plurality of positions laterally spaced over the ceiling surface;
-
7. Apparatus for distributing masking noise into an open space, having, in combination, a plurality of independent incoherent noise-generating units, each provided with a separate electronic noise source, frequencing shaping filter, amplifying and sound radiating means;
- means for mounting said units at a plurality of positions laterally spaced from one another;
means for powering said units from power conduit means associated with said space; and
means for tuning the shaping filter and for adjusting the height and the lateral separation of said units to provide a predetermined speech privacy noise attenuation spectrum within said space, and to provide incoherent masking radiation there within. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 14)
- means for mounting said units at a plurality of positions laterally spaced from one another;
Specification