Networked sound masking system

• US 10,121,463 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2016
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 777388 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: 777388 Ontario Limited
• Inventors: Moeller, Klaus, Moeller, Niklas, Rusu, Mircea, Derla, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Lao, Lun-See
• Application Number:
  US15/060,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20160189701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 381 731, 381 711- 714, 381 74, 381104-109, 381 97-100, 381103, 381 941- 944, 381 56- 58, 700 94
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/1752 Masking
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3014 Adaptive noise equalizers [ANE], i.e. where part of the unwanted sound is retained
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/30351 Identification of the environment for applying appropriate model characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3049 Random noise used, e.g. in model identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/12 for acoustic communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/34 involving multiple cooperating jammers
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/42 characterized by the control of the jamming frequency or wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/43 characterized by the control of the jamming power, signal-to-noise ratio or geographic coverage area
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/45 characterized by including monitoring of the target or target signal, e.g. in reactive jammers or follower jammers for example by means of an alternation of jamming phases and monitoring phases, called "look-through mode"
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/825 by jamming
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/027 Annunciator systems for hospitals
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/002 Damping circuit arrangements for transducers, e.g. motional feedback circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring

Abstract

A sound masking system for shaping the ambient noise level in a physical environment. The sound masking system comprises a networked and distributed system having a number of master units coupled together and to a control unit. One or more of the master units may include satellite sound masking units which function to reproduce the sound masking signal generated by the master sound masking unit. Each of the master units is addressable over the network by the control unit enabling the control unit to program the contour, spectral band, and gain characteristics of the sound masking output signal. The system may also include a remote control unit which provides the capability to tune and adjust each master sound masking unit in situ without requiring physical access through the ceiling installation.

Claims

1. A networkable sound masking device comprising:

(a) an input communication interface for interfacing to a communication network for receiving one or more sound masking control signals to control operation of the networkable sound masking device;

(b) a controller, said controller including an address component configured to recognize one or more of said sound masking control signals addressed to the networkable sound masking device, and said controller being configured for processing said one or more sound masking control signals addressed to the networkable sound masking device;

(c) a sound masking component for generating a sound masking output signal, said sound masking component being responsive to said controller, and said sound masking output signal being responsive to said one or more sound masking control signals addressed to the networkable sound masking device; and

(d) an output for outputting the sound masking output signal to one or more satellite sound masking units, wherein the sound masking output signal is responsive to said one or more sound masking control signals received through the input communication interface.

2. The networkable sound masking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output stage comprises an amplifier configured to output said sound masking output signal at a controllable output level, and said one or more sound masking control signals comprise a masking volume signal, and said controller including a component for controlling the output level of said amplifier in response to said masking volume signal.

3. The networkable sound masking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sound masking component comprises a random noise generator having an output coupled to an equalizer stage, and said one or more sound masking control signals comprise a masking frequency signal, and said controller including a component responsive to said masking frequency signal for controlling said equalizer stage.

4. The networkable sound masking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said output stage comprises an amplifier, and said one or more sound masking control signals comprise a masking volume signal, and said controller includes a component for controlling the output level of said amplifier in response to said masking volume signal.

5. A networkable sound masking device comprising:

(a) an input communication interface for interfacing to a sound masking command control network for receiving sound masking control signals to control operation of said networkable sound masking device;

(b) a controller for receiving said control signals from said input communication interface, said control signals being intended for the networkable sound masking device and said control signals comprising a masking volume command;

(c) a sound masking component for generating a sound masking output signal, said sound masking component being responsive to said controller, and said sound masking output signal being responsive to said masking volume command for controlling a volume level associated with said sound masking output signal; and

(d) an output for outputting the sound masking output signal to one or more satellite sound masking units, wherein the sound masking output signal is responsive to said one or more sound masking control signals received through the input communication interface.

6. The networkable sound masking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said input interface includes an address component for recognizing said control signals intended for the networkable sound masking device.

7. The networkable sound masking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said output stage comprises an amplifier and said controller including a component for controlling said output stage in response to said masking volume command.

8. The networkable sound masking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sound masking component comprises a random noise generator having an output coupled to an equalizer stage, and said controller including a component for controlling said equalizer stage in response to a masking frequency setting command.

9. The networkable sound masking device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said output stage comprises an amplifier and controller including a component for controlling said output stage in response to said masking volume command.