Enhanced sound processing system for use with sound radiators

• US 20030198339A1
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Roy, Kenneth P., Dove, Steve, Johnson, Thomas J., Fuller, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US10/126,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198339A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/387.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/007 in which the audio signals are in digital form data reduction aspects thereof based on psychoacoustics G10L19/02

Abstract

A compact sound processing system and method for use with a plurality of sound radiators. A microcontroller accepts a plurality of user-selected speaker equalization and space equalization settings and receives a paging control signal from a telephone interface. An analog mixer combines music signal inputs and a paging signal. A digital signal processor generates and filters masking noise, and processes the masking noise and combined music and paging signals based on user-selectable settings for distribution to the sound radiators. An audio amplifier modulates and amplifies the output signal from the digital signal processor, and delivers the output signal to the sound radiators via a transformer in defined zones. The sound radiators can be flat panel sound radiators or conventional type speakers. A masking filter used with the masking noise generator can be programmed to shape the virtual random noise generated by decreasing the noise at a constant rate over the frequency range of human speech. A paging over music function reduces the music sound level by a preset amount whenever a paging control signal is received. A talkback controller is also provided to enable an individual to respond to a page using the sound radiator as a microphone.

Claims

1. A sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators comprising:

a telephone interface for accepting a paging signal input;

a microcontroller for accepting a plurality of user-selected sound radiator equalization and space equalization settings and for receiving a paging control signal from the telephone interface;

a digital signal processor for generating and filtering masking noise, and processing the masking noise and the paging signal based on the user-selected settings for distribution to the sound radiators; and

an audio amplifier for modulating and amplifying an output signal from the digital signal processor and delivering the output signal to the sound radiators.

2. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of line inputs for accepting music signals for processing by the digital signal processor.

3. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 further comprising a transformer for receiving the output signal from the audio amplifier and distributing the output signal at a proper voltage to the sound radiators.

4. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 3 wherein the proper voltage is selected from the group consisting of 25 volts, 70.7 volts, and 100 volts.

5. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 2 further comprising an analog mixer for combining the music signals, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting the combined signal to a digital signal and inputting the digital signal to the digital signal processor.

6. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 5 wherein the analog mixer further combines the paging signal with the music signals before converting the combined signal to a digital signal.

7. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 2 wherein the plurality of input lines are associated with at least two music input circuits for distribution to the plurality of sound radiators in at least two defined zones.

8. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 wherein the sound radiator equalization setting enables user selection of a specific type of sound radiator.

9. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 8 wherein at least two different types of sound radiators can be user selected.

10. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 8 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is characterized by a uniform frequency response over an audible range of frequencies.

11. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 8 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is a flat panel sound radiator.

12. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 8 wherein the specific type of sound radiator uses conventional speaker technology.

13. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 8 wherein a sound radiator equalization processing in the digital signal processor compensates for the frequency response characteristics of the selected radiator type.

14. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 10 wherein the audible range of frequencies is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

15. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 wherein the space equalization settings enable user selection of one of a plurality of gain values to compensate during a space equalization processing in the digital signal processor for the acoustic characteristics of an enclosed space in which the sound radiators are used.

16. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 15 wherein the plurality of gain values are in the range from about −

5 dB to about +5 dB.

17. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 wherein the plurality of user selectable sound radiator and space equalization settings are controlled by switch settings.

18. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 wherein the digital signal processor includes a plurality of masking generators that generate random noise for sound masking.

19. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 18 wherein the digital signal processor includes a masking filter for each masking generator.

20. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 19 wherein the masking filter is programmed to shape the generated random noise by decreasing the noise at a constant rate over at least a portion of a range of frequencies from about 20 Hz to about 20,000 Hz.

21. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 20 wherein the masking filter shapes the generated random noise over a range of frequencies from about 200 Hz to about 5000 Hz.

22. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 21 wherein the constant rate is in the range from about −

2 dB to about −

6 dB per octave.

23. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 21 wherein the constant rate is about −

4 dB per octave.

24. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 19 wherein the masking filter is programmed to shape the generated noise by applying a noise criteria equal loudness curve to the noise.

25. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 24 wherein the noise criteria equal loudness curve is about NC-40.

26. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 19 wherein the masking filter is selectable by the user.

27. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 further comprising a user-selectable switch to enable either one of a muting function or a paging-over-music function for the output of the digital signal processor when the paging control signal is received from the telephone interface.

28. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 27 wherein the user-selectable paging-over-music function reduces a level of the music by a preset amount when the paging control signal is received.

29. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 28 wherein the preset amount is about −

20 dB.

30. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 further comprising a voices-activated relay circuit to enable a person to respond to a page using a sound radiator as a microphone.

31. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 further comprising a master input contact closure for overriding all paging, masking noise and music sounds.

32. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 1 wherein the digital sound processor is installed in a wiring closet.

33. A sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators comprising:

a microcontroller for accepting a plurality of user-selected sound radiator equalization and space equalization settings;

a digital signal processor for generating and filtering masking noise, and processing the masking noise based on the user-selected settings for distribution to the sound radiators; and

an audio amplifier for modulating and amplifying an output signal from the digital signal processor and delivering the output signal to the sound radiators.

34. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 further comprising a plurality of line inputs for accepting music signals that are summed and mixed with the noise output from the digital signal processor.

35. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 34 further comprising an analog equalization circuit for shaping the summed music signals before combining the summed music signals with the noise output of the digital signal processor.

36. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 34 further comprising a summing amplifier for adding the noise output of the digital signal processor with the output of the analog equalization circuit.

37. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 further comprising a transformer for receiving the output signal from the audio amplifier and distributing the output signal at a proper voltage to the sound radiators.

38. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 37 wherein the proper voltage is selected from the group consisting of 25 volts, 70.7 volts, and 100 volts.

39. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 wherein the sound radiator equalization setting enables user selection of a specific type of sound radiator.

40. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 39 wherein at least two different types of sound radiators can be user selected.

41. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 39 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is characterized by a uniform frequency response over an audible range of frequencies.

42. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 39 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is a flat panel sound radiator.

43. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 39 wherein the specific type of sound radiator uses conventional speaker technology.

44. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 39 wherein a sound radiator equalization processing in the digital signal processor compensates for the frequency response characteristics of the selected radiator type.

45. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 41 wherein the audible range of frequencies is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

46. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 wherein the space equalization settings enable user selection of one of a plurality of gain values to compensate during a space equalization processing in the digital signal processor for the acoustic characteristics of an enclosed space in which the sound radiators are used.

47. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 46 wherein the plurality of gain values are in the range from about −

5 dB to about +5 dB.

48. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 wherein the plurality of user selectable sound radiator and space equalization settings are controlled by switch settings.

49. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 wherein the digital signal processor includes a masking generator that generates random noise for sound masking.

50. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 49 wherein the digital signal processor includes a masking filter for the masking generator.

51. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 50 wherein the masking filter is programmed to shape the generated random noise by decreasing the noise at a constant rate over at least a portion of a range of frequencies from about 20 Hz to about 20,000 Hz.

52. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 51 wherein the masking filter shapes the generated random noise over a range of frequencies from about 200 Hz to about 5000 Hz.

53. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 52 wherein the constant rate is in the range from about −

2 dB to about −

6 dB per octave.

54. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 52 wherein the constant rate is about −

4 dB per octave.

55. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 50 wherein the masking filter is programmed to shape the generated noise by applying a noise criteria equal loudness curve to the noise.

56. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 55 wherein the noise criteria equal loudness curve is about NC-40.

57. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 50 wherein the masking filter is selectable by the user.

58. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 further comprising a master input contact closure for overriding all masking noise and music sounds.

59. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 33 wherein the digital sound processor is installed in an enclosure mounted on a bridge support attached to the sound radiators.

60. A method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system and delivering the combined signals to a plurality of sound radiators, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a paging signal input from a telephone interface;

accepting a plurality of user-selected sound radiator equalization and space equalization settings at a microcontroller;

receiving a paging control signal from the telephone interface;

generating and filtering masking noise, and processing the masking noise and the paging signal in a digital signal processor based on the user-selected settings for distribution to the sound radiators; and

modulating and amplifying an output signal from the digital signal processor in an audio amplifier, and delivering the output signal to the sound radiators.

61. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the step of accepting music signals from a plurality of line inputs for processing by the digital signal processor.

62. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the step of receiving the output signal from the audio amplifier at a transformer and distributing the output signal at a proper voltage to the sound radiators.

63. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 wherein the proper voltage is selected from the group consisting of 25 volts, 70.7 volts, and 100 volts.

64. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the steps of combining the music signals in an analog mixer, converting the combined signal to a digital signal, and inputting the digital signal to the digital signal processor.

65. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 64 further comprises the step of combining the paging signal with the music signals before converting the combined signal to a digital signal.

66. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 61 wherein the plurality of input lines are associated with at least two music input circuits for distribution to the plurality of sound radiators in at least two defined zones.

67. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 wherein the sound radiator equalization setting enables user selection of a specific type of sound radiator.

68. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 67 wherein at least two different types of sound radiators can be user selected.

69. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 67 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is characterized by a uniform frequency response over an audible range of frequencies.

70. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 67 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is a flat panel sound radiator.

71. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 67 wherein the specific type of sound radiator uses conventional speaker technology.

72. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 67 further comprising the step of performing sound radiator equalization processing in the digital signal processor to compensate for the frequency response characteristics of the selected radiator type.

73. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 69 wherein the audible range of frequencies is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

74. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the step of selecting one of a plurality of gain values to compensate during a space equalization processing in the digital signal processor for the acoustic characteristics of an enclosed space in which the sound radiators are used.

75. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 74 wherein the plurality of attenuation values are in the range from about −

5 dB to about +5 dB.

76. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the step of programming a masking filter in a masking noise generator to shape the generated random noise by decreasing the noise at a constant rate over at least a portion of a range of frequencies for about 20 Hz to about 20,000 Hz.

77. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 76 wherein the masking filter shapes the generated random noise over a range of frequencies from about 200 Hz to about 5000 Hz.

78. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 77 wherein the constant rate is in the range from about −

2 dB to about −

6 dB per octave.

79. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 77 wherein the constant rate is about −

4 dB per octave.

80. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 76 wherein the step of programming the masking filter comprises applying a noise criteria equal loudness curve to the noise.

81. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 80 wherein the noise criteria equal loudness curve is about NC-40.

82. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the step of selecting either one of a muting function or a paging-over-music function for the output of the digital signal processor when the paging control signal is received from the telephone interface.

83. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 82 wherein selecting the paging-over-music function reduces a level of the music by a preset amount when the paging control signal is received.

84. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 83 wherein the preset amount is about −

20 dB.

85. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the step of enabling a person to respond to a page using a sound radiator as a microphone through a voice activated relay circuit.

86. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 60 further comprising the step of closing a master input contact closure to mute all paging, masking noise and music sounds.

87. A method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system and delivering the combined signals to a plurality of sound radiators, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a plurality of user-selected sound radiator equalization and space equalization settings at a microcontroller;

generating and filtering masking noise, and processing the masking noise in a digital signal processor based on the user-selected settings for distribution to the sound radiators; and

modulating and amplifying an output signal from the digital signal processor in an audio amplifier, and delivering the output signal to the sound radiators.

88. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 87 further comprising the steps of accepting music signals from a plurality of line inputs, and summing and mixing the music signals with the noise output from the digital signal processor.

89. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 88 further comprising the step of shaping the summed music signals using an analog equalization circuit before combining the summed music signals with the noise output of the digital signal processor.

90. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 88 further comprising the step of adding the noise output of the digital signal processor with the output of the analog equalization circuit in a summing amplifier.

91. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 87 further comprising the step of receiving the output signal from the audio amplifier at a transformer and distributing the output signal at a proper voltage to the sound radiators.

92. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 91 wherein the proper voltage is selected from the group consisting of 25 volts, 70.7 volts, and 100 volts.

93. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 87 wherein the sound radiator equalization setting enables user selection of a specific type of sound radiator.

94. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 93 wherein at least two different types of sound radiators can be user selected.

95. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 93 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is characterized by a uniform frequency response over an audible range of frequencies.

96. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 93 wherein the specific type of sound radiator is a flat pane l sound radiator.

97. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 93 wherein the specific type of sound radiator uses conventional speaker technology.

98. The sound processing system for use with a plurality of sound radiators of claim 93 further comprising the step of performing sound radiator equalization processing in the digital signal processor to compensate for the frequency response characteristics of the selected radiator type.

99. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 95 wherein the audible range of frequencies is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

100. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 87 further comprising the step of selecting one of a plurality of gain values to compensate during a space equalization processing in the digital signal processor for the acoustic characteristics of an enclosed space in which the sound radiators are used.

101. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 99 wherein the plurality of gain values are in the range from about −

5 dB to about +5 dB.

102. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 87 further comprising the step of programming a masking filter in a masking noise generator to shape the generated random noise by decreasing the noise at a constant rate over at least a portion of a range of frequencies from about 20 Hz to about 20,000 Hz.

103. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 102 wherein the masking filter shapes the generated random noise over a range of frequencies from about 200 Hz to about 5000 Hz.

104. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 103 wherein the constant rate is in the range from about −

2 dB to about −

6 dB per octave.

105. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 103 wherein the constant rate is about −

4 dB per octave.

106. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 102 wherein the step of programming the masking filter comprises applying a noise criteria equal loudness curve to the noise.

107. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 106 wherein the noise criteria equal loudness curve is about NC-40.

108. The method for combining masking sound, paging and music signals in a sound processing system of claim 87 further comprising the step of closing a master input contact closure to mute all masking noise and music sounds.