Sound detection and alert system for a workspace

• US 10,115,293 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2017
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Scheper, Robert, Warner, Matthew, Mead, Karl J., Kincaid, Brett, Heidmann, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Odunukwe, Ubachukwu
• Application Number:
  US15/720,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20180025615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 381 56
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 3/10 Amplitude; Power
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/00 Monitoring arrangements; Testing arrangements for hearing aids H04R25/30; detection of loudspeaker connection H04R5/04; sound-field adaptation dependent on speaker detection H04S7/308
• 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

An alert system for generating a signal indicating at least one aspect of sound within a workspace environment, the system comprising at least a first sensor positioned one of within and proximate a workspace, the at least a first sensor sensing at least one aspect of sound generated within the workspace and generating a signal indicating the at least one aspect, a communication device located within the workspace, the communication device configured to generate a signal perceivable within the workspace and a processor receiving signals from the at least a first sensor and linked to the communication device, the processor programmed to perform the steps of identifying when the at least one aspect exceeds a threshold value and driving the communication device to indicate that the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value.

Claims

1. A personal space for telepresence activities using a portable device comprising:

at least one wall structure supporting a worksurface;

an interior sound sensor and a communication device coupled to an interior of the at least one wall structure;

an exterior sound sensor coupled to an exterior of the at least one wall structure; and

a processor in communication with the interior sound sensor, the exterior sound sensor, and the communication device, the processor adapted to compare a sound level inside the wall structure to a threshold level, and to provide a signal at the communication device when a sound level inside the personal space exceeds the threshold level, and to adjust the threshold level when a sound level exterior to the wall structure exceeds a second threshold level.

2. The personal space of claim 1, wherein the worksurface is substantially horizontal.

3. The personal space of claim 1, wherein the worksurface is sized and dimensioned so support a portable device.

4. The personal space of claim 1, wherein the personal space comprises a display screen mounted to the wall.

5. The personal space of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to link to a portable device in the personal space.

6. The personal space of claim 1, further comprising a camera coupled to the wall.

7. The personal space of claim 6, wherein the camera is configured to link to a portable device in the personal space.

8. The personal space of claim 1, further comprising a speaker coupled to the wall.

9. The personal space of claim 1, wherein the communication device is adapted to provide at least one of an audio and a visual alert.

10. A personal space for telepresence activities using a portable device comprising:

at least one wall structure supporting a horizontal worksurface;

an interior sound sensor and a communication device coupled to an interior of the at least one wall structure;

an exterior sound sensor coupled to an exterior of the at least one wall structure; and

a processor in communication with the interior sound sensor, the exterior sound sensor, and the communication device, the processor adapted to compare a sound level inside the wall structure to a threshold level, and to provide a signal at the communication device when a sound level inside the personal space exceeds the threshold level, and to adjust the threshold level when a sound level exterior to the wall structure exceeds a second threshold level.

11. The personal space of claim 10, further comprising a display screen coupled to the wall above the horizontal worksurface.

12. The personal space of claim 10, wherein the interior sound sensor detects frequency in the range of a human voice.

13. The personal space of claim 10, wherein the interior sound sensor detects frequency in a range between 20 and 20,000 Hz.

14. The personal space of claim 10, wherein the interior sound sensor detects frequency in a range between 250 Hz and 40000 Hz.

15. The personal space of claim 10, further comprising a ceiling coupled to the wall.

16. The personal space of claim 10, wherein the interior sound sensor is built into the wall.

17. The personal space of claim 10, further comprising a door, and wherein at least one of the interior and exterior sound sensors is mounted adjacent the door.

18. The personal space of claim 10, wherein the communications device includes a light emitting diode.

19. The personal space of claim 10, further comprising a support device adapted to support a portable device in an orientation to facilitate telepresence activity.

20. The personal space of claim 10, wherein the communication device comprises a light panel.