Sound monitoring, data collection and advisory system

• US 8,194,866 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2008
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonicu, LLC
• Original Assignee: Christopher M. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tan N
• Application Number:
  US12/195,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20090052677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,385 Days
• Field of Search: 381/77, 381/58, 381/59, 381/56, 381/57, 381/94.1, 381/73.1
• US Class Current: 381/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/008 Visual indication of individual signal levels visual indication of stereophonic sound image H04S7/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/40 Visual indication of stereophonic sound image

Abstract

A sound monitoring system and method. The system can include a plurality of sound pressure level meters, a plurality of sound level indicators and a server connected by a network. The sound pressure level meters measuring a sound level at their location, and the sound level indicators providing a visual indication of the sound level measured by at least one of the sound pressure level meters. The system devices can be powered, as well as monitored and controlled remotely over the network. A user interface enables constructing and monitoring multiple zones and groups in a monitored area, as well as reviewing real-time and historical sound data. The system can also control lighting in the monitored area, and use lighting as a visual indicator of noise level.

Claims

1. A sound monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of sound pressure level meters, each of the plurality of sound pressure level meters measuring a sound level at its location;

a plurality of sound level indicators, each of the plurality of sound level indicators providing a visual indication of the sound level measured by at least one of the plurality of sound pressure level meters;

a server; and

a network connecting the plurality of sound pressure level meters, the plurality of sound level indicators and the server to enable communication therebetween;

wherein each of the plurality of sound pressure level meters and sound level indicators receives power through the network;

wherein the network includes a power supply, wherein the power supply accepts input power from a local source, conditions the input power to create conditioned power compatible with the plurality of sound pressure level meters and sound level indicators, and supplies the conditioned power to each of the plurality of the sound pressure level meters and sound level indicators through the network.

2. A sound monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of sound pressure level meters, each of the plurality of sound pressure level meters measuring a sound level at its location;

a plurality of sound level indicators, each of the plurality of sound level indicators providing a visual indication of the sound level measured by at least one of the plurality of sound pressure level meters;

a server; and

a network connecting the plurality of sound pressure level meters, the plurality of sound level indicators and the server to enable communication therebetween;

wherein at least one of the plurality of sound pressure level meters includes a multimedia card interface, the multimedia card interface enabling parameter download and data upload between the at least one of the plurality of sound pressure level meters and a multimedia card.

3. A sound monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of sound pressure level meters, each of the plurality of sound pressure level meters measuring a sound level at its location;

a plurality of sound level indicators, each of the plurality of sound level indicators providing a visual indication of the sound level measured by at least one of the plurality of sound pressure level meters;

a server; and

a network connecting the plurality of sound pressure level meters, the plurality of sound level indicators and the server to enable communication therebetween;

wherein user-selectable parameters include an acquisition time and an indicator-on time, the acquisition time controlling how long the sound level must exceed a threshold level before an indication is activated, and the indicator-on time controlling the minimum time the indication can be is activated once it is triggered.